E.C. Barton & Company

In 1885 the town of Jonesboro had just incorporated two years earlier and it was experiencing strong growth. P.C. Barton owned and operated a grocery store in the bustling new town, but there was something in his store that sold better than the food stuffs on his shelves. Barton was building a house and customers were constantly asking about the stacks of wood he kept in his shop meant to be used in the construction of the house.

He closed the grocery store and started Barton Lumber and Brick. His son, E.C. Barton expanded the business by acquiring several lumberyards. Eventually, the company would become E.C. Barton & Company, and to this day it still operates in Jonesboro.

The company owns 125 stores and has plans for continued expansion.