Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.

Title

EE Gray Company, 447 Main Street, circa 1909

Description

"The Main Street store, E.E. Gray Company, was one of 25 branch stores of the E.E. Gray Importers, Wholesale and Provision Dealers of Boston located throughout Greater Boston and Massachusetts. The company also had three Boston stores, on Hanover, Blackstone and Union Streets. The company was established by Elmer E. Gray in 1885 at the age of 23. Within four years, he had built up a large trade and reputation as a commission merchant in butter, cheese, eggs, and live and dressed poultry, and supplied goods to dealers, restaurants, hotel[s] and families. He received his supplies directly from the producers and was able to sell them at the lowest market prices. According to Illustrated Boston, the Metropolis of New England, 'this representative and progressive house was established by Mr. Gray, who has built up a large trade and through his extensive connections controls a large business. Consignments of choice creamery and dairy butter, cheese and fresh eggs are received daily, and also live and dressed poultry. Promptitude and quick sales form the policy upon which the business is conducted and the stock is always choice and fresh. The premises are of ample dimensions for the requirements of the business and a force of clerks are kept constantly employed. Liberal advances are made on consignments and in all matters pertaining to this special line of trade Mr. Gray is prepared to transact business in a manner satisfactory to all concerned.' By 1915, his stores were selling kitchen items, including galvanized iron watering or sprinkling pot[s], children's aluminum mugs, window and door screens, and gardening supplies. In 1927, company officers organized a new corporation to acquire the necessary funds to extend and enlarge the business of the E.E. Gray Company. The company filed for bankruptcy in December 1930."

Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2013

Photo courtesy of Wakefield Un-Common Antiques

Contributor

Institution: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (Wakefield, Mass.)

D'Onofrio, Jayne M.

Coverage

Massachusetts--Middlesex (county)--Wakefield

447 Main Street (Wakefield, Mass.)

Date

ca. 1909

Format

image/jpeg

Publisher

Wakefield, Mass. : Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Subject

Stores, retail

E.E. Gray Company (Wakefield, Mass.)

Type

still image

Photographs

Original Format

1 picture: b & w

Extent

15 x 21 cm.