Golden Anniversary Celebration...50 Years
McCormick's is a third generation, family owned department store that has been in operation in the same location since April, 1936. The founders of the company were Okey and Cleona McCormick. The block in Logan, West Virginia on which they located contained a hotel, supermarket, bakery and the 20' x 40' storeroom which they leased. The year again was 1936, the investment was $600 and the chances for success seemed slim to none. However, Okey and Cleona believed in working long, hard hours, and most of all, they believed in each other.
In 1938, still in the depression years, they traded their small space for he hotel lobby and added furniture to their appliance store. Chances of success still seemed inauspicious, but Mr. and Mrs. McCormick continued to work even harder. In 1942, ladies clothing was added in the same space, and a separate warehouse was leased for furniture.
A the end of World War II, Okey Jr. (after four years service in the U.S. Army) and his wife Ernestine joined the family business. Bob McCormick, the youngest son, an his wife Patricia came aboard in 1950 upon completing their education. Thus, for over twenty years three families worked side by side to build our store and company, McCormick's. During those years we saw the business grow into one of the largest department stores in southern West Virginia.
In 1949, a completely modern ladies department expanded in the space formerly occupied by the bakery. Children's clothing was also introduced at this time. A men's department and second floor showroom was added in 1953 when the hotel closed. The grocery store closed in 1959 and made the final end of the block available to us. We immediately leased this additional space and began an extensive remodeling project that expanded McCormick's into a three story block-long department store. During this renovation a complete children's department was established.
In 969, Okey Jr.'s son David, joined the business and is managing he company today. In 1974, we purchased the property we had leased for so many years. By 1980, it was finally ours! We again remodeled extensively to maintain our reputation as one of southern West Virginia's leading department stores.
This year we are happily observing fifty years of business - a story that we feel embodies the free enterprise system and the joy of the American Dream come true! Okey and Cleona McCormick still share in the growth of our business, and thank the people of Logan County for the success of our family business, McCormick's.
