Historic businesses in every state
Take a look down any Main Street in America and you're bound to see storefronts of relatively new businesses. Around one-third of the country's small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 500 employees, are less than 5 years old, while more than half of all small businesses have been around less than a decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Business Dynamic Statistics.
Unfortunately, statistics show that most businesses fail not long after they open. within their first year and only around 33% of them survive at least a decade. Companies disappear all the time鈥攕o what's the secret to creating a business that lasts for decades or even centuries to come?
To find out, 麻豆原创 took a look at some of the oldest businesses in America. We looked at news reports, roundups, historical records, and company websites to see which companies have been around the longest in every state. The youngest of the oldest businesses turned out to be a youthful 128 years old, while the most senior of the bunch has been around for more than four centuries鈥攍onger than the United States itself.
The research uncovered interesting clues about what gives a business staying power, despite major fires, economic disruptions, natural disasters, and technological advancements. Many companies on this list serve basic wants and needs that never change鈥攍ike a funeral home in Tennessee, which started off as a cabinet shop that also crafted caskets, before fully transitioning into the death care industry. Several of the oldest businesses have stayed in the same family for centuries鈥擟onnecticut's oldest business is now in the hands of its 12th generation. And some maintain that distinctive character of yesteryear, giving new customers a chance to travel back in time with a visit鈥攋ust take a look up at the ceiling of Arizona's oldest business to see bullet holes from what was perhaps a night of drunken cowboy revelry.
These businesses have bucked less-than-optimistic survival trends through a mix of hard work, innovation, and dumb luck. Click through to discover some of the oldest businesses in the United States, and how the historic business we featured from your state compares with others on the list.
Alabama
Bromberg鈥檚, a jewelry store with locations in Birmingham and Mountain Brook, Alabama, has been open . It鈥檚 considered to be among the oldest family-owned companies in the U.S. Its first store, which was located in Mobile, was burned down in the Great Fire of 1839.
Alaska
The Alaska Commercial Company can , when Catherine the Great gave the Russian American Trading Company the right to exchange goods and services for valuables, like fur and gold, in trading posts in the area. A couple of San Francisco merchants bought the company and gave the business its current name in 1867, after the U.S. bought Alaska. It now runs a chain of grocery and general stores throughout the state.
Arizona
The Palace Restaurant and Saloon has been around longer than Arizona has been a state. The cowboy bar in Prescott . If you visit, be sure to look up at the pressed tin ceiling, where you can spot that probably resulted from a drunken celebration, according to Scott Craven of The Republic.
Other historic businesses: (1877), Wells Fargo & Co. Financial services (1877)
Arkansas
When Robert Crittenden and Chester Ashley formed a partnership to practice law in 1820, they likely had no idea they鈥檇 be founding what would become the oldest business in Arkansas, . The law firm once counted former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a member.
California
The year 1849 marked the founding of three of California's oldest businesses: , a general store that's now an aerospace and defense manufacturer; , the oldest continuously-run restaurant in the state; and , which produces sourdough bread in San Francisco.
Colorado
San Luis, Colorado, is home to the state鈥檚 oldest business: R&R Market. The store, which offers general merchandise and groceries, has been run out of the same adobe brick building since .
Connecticut
Established in Orange, Connecticut, in 1639, the family-run Field View Farm is still. The roadside stand offers farm-fresh dairy products, veggies, ice cream, and heavy farm equipment.
Delaware
DuPont, one of the world鈥檚 largest chemical companies, is also one of Delaware鈥檚 most historic businesses, at 218 years old. The company, which was , is known for its polymers (including Teflon and Lycra), refrigerants, and synthetic pigments.
Another historic business: (1724)
Florida
has the title of the oldest business in Florida. Established in , the full-service hardware store in Pensacola has survived a fire, location changes, and shifts in ownership in its nearly 170 years in business.
Georgia
started as an inn for seafarers in Savannah, Georgia, in 1753. It quickly became the go-to spot for pirates and sailors to socialize. Now, it's a family-friendly restaurant that serves Southern favorites like fried green tomatoes, crab dip, and corn fritters.
Hawaii
There have been a lot of twists and turns during Amfac, Inc.鈥檚 171 years in operation. The oldest business in Hawaii, which now operates under the name Kaanapali Land Management Corp., began as a and has since evolved into a coffee farm and land developer.
Idaho
Joyce Livestock Co. has been . The 11,000-acre ranch has been in the same family for five generations.
Illinois
Chicago鈥檚 elite have turned to since 1837. The oldest business in Illinois, it has counted Mick Jagger, Mary Todd Lincoln, and Marshall Field among its glitzy clientele.
Indiana
After 173-year-old , seized the title of Indiana鈥檚 oldest business. It鈥檚 been printing the news since 1836 and runs a number of newspapers and guides.
Iowa
If you find yourself craving comfort food and homemade pie on a trip to Balltown, Iowa, head to Breitbach's Country Dining. The , making it the oldest business in the state. It's still in its original location, albeit in a new building after two fires burned the original structure to the ground in the late 2000s.
Kansas
Davis Funeral Chapel has been . Located in Leavenworth, the family-run funeral chapel contains the town鈥檚 only on-site crematory operated by licensed professionals.
Kentucky
Kentucky鈥檚 oldest business has made its way into bars around the world. has distilled fine Kentucky bourbon in Clermont since 1795. While the company initially required customers to bring their own jugs if they wanted whiskey, it started bottling its booze for national sale under the brand Old Tub in 1880.
Louisiana
is not just the oldest business in Louisiana鈥攊t鈥檚 also the oldest building used as a bar in the country. The historic watering hole in New Orleans started serving pirates in 1772 and has since become a hangout for the local gay community.
Maine
Considered one of the oldest hotels in America, the has been a vacation destination in Kennebunk Beach, Maine, since 1667. It鈥檚 been owned by the Gooch family throughout its history.
Maryland
Visitors to Annapolis, Maryland, can drink in the same bar as the founding fathers at Middleton Tavern, which was founded in 1750. The walls of the Georgian building are lined with historic treasures, like Civil War muskets, classic paintings of local landscapes, and antique Naval Academy uniforms.
Massachusetts
Barker鈥檚 Farm Stand in North Andover, Massachusetts, has been . The Barker family has kept the farm running since it was founded.
Michigan
While New Hudson Inn and Old Tavern Inn are occasionally referred to as the oldest businesses in Michigan, has them both beat by a few years. The civil engineering firm in Detroit .
Minnesota
Fred W. Radde & Sons, the oldest business in Minnesota, has been . Despite a rise in online auctions, the company鈥檚 in-person events are still going strong.
Mississippi
Over the years since it was built in Natchez, Mississippi, around , King鈥檚 Tavern has been a tavern, an inn, and even a post office, before reverting back to its restaurant roots in recent years. Rumor has it that the building is haunted by the spirit of the founder鈥檚 mistress.
Missouri
Head to the basement of Weston Brewing Company in Weston, Missouri, to find the state's oldest business: . For 178 years (and counting!), it's been a spirited neighborhood bar with live entertainment.
Montana
Open since , Bale of Hay Saloon started as a grocery and liquor store before converting into an Old West saloon around 1890. Rum and whiskey aren鈥檛 the only spirits at this bar in Virginia City, Montana鈥攊t鈥檚 also supposedly haunted by ghosts.
Nebraska
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1846. The historic gristmill is now a museum and local art gallery.
Nevada
The Genoa Bar and Saloon bills itself as 1853. The establishment contains tons of original treasures from the 19th century, including half the bar, medallions on the ceiling, and a red oil lamp that is traditionally lit every New Year鈥檚 Eve.
New Hampshire
Tuttle鈥檚 Red Barn was established in Dover, New Hampshire, in . The farm became the subject of the children鈥檚 book, 鈥淭uttle鈥檚 Red Barn: The Story of America鈥檚 Oldest Family Farm,鈥 in 2007.
New Jersey
Opened in 1692, and the nation's oldest real estate firm. The company is based in Rutherford.
New Mexico
It should come as little surprise that the oldest business in New Mexico is a Spanish restaurant. Established as La Cantina del Canon in 1835, the restaurant now operates under the name and hosts dinner shows featuring dancers from the National Institute of Flamenco.
New York
, Saunderskill Farms in Accord, New York, is one of the few recipients of the Department of Agriculture鈥檚 rare Tricentennial Awards. The farm, which includes a market and bakery, has been run by the Schoonmaker family for 11 generations.
North Carolina
North Carolina residents have turned to near Kinston for stone-ground cornmeal products since 1736. While it changed hands during the first half of its time in business, the company has been run by the King family since 1929.
North Dakota
is considered the oldest business in North Dakota. The newspaper became famous when it broke the news on George Custer鈥檚 Last Stand in 1876.
Ohio
With startup costs of just $4 in 1803, the and providing lodging to travelers in Lebanon, Ohio, ever since. The hotel and restaurant got its name from a golden lamb sign outside the building鈥攁 helpful marker for the many people who did not know how to read at that time.
Oklahoma
Fifteen years before Oklahoma was a state, as a five and dime store in Chickasha, Indian Territory in 1892. It鈥檚 now a jewelry store with three locations in Oklahoma City.
Oregon
is a bottler of Aquafina, Dr. Pepper, and Pepsi in Astoria, Oregon. The business was originally Van Dusen Mercantile, but it transitioned into beverages in 1947.
Pennsylvania
The Rowland Company in Philadelphia has been helping keep giant machines running since 1732. The , a relative of a man who came to America with Pennsylvania founder William Penn five decades earlier.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island鈥檚 in Usquepaugh has been grinding grain and corn into flour and meal since 1696. It still uses its vintage grist mill from 1886, complete with its original granite millstones quarried from nearby Westerly, to create its products the old-fashioned way.
Another historic company: (1683)
South Carolina
, opened in 1778, has a storied history as the go-to spot for socializing in Charleston, South Carolina. President George Washington supposedly savored a at the long-standing restaurant, according to Wil Fulton and Joe McGauley of Thrillist.
South Dakota
Families have counted on in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for fresh meat since 1883. Over the years, the business has expanded from a butcher to a well-rounded marketplace with a caf茅, bakery, brewery, and full-service restaurant.
Tennessee
Once a cabinet shop that also produced caskets and offered burial services, is the oldest business in Tennessee. It has expanded into five locations since it opened in 1842 in Turnersville.
Texas
One of the original 100 families brought to Texas ended up establishing the state鈥檚 now-oldest business, , in 1843. The brand鈥檚 sweeteners can now be found at grocery stores across the southeastern U.S.
Utah
, Utah鈥檚 oldest business, has been reporting the news continuously since 1850. The publication is owned by the Deseret Management Corporation, a for-profit company affiliated with the Mormon Church.
Vermont
Since , people who've needed to get across Lake Champlain have hopped on the , Vermont's oldest business. The journey takes about seven minutes and offers great views.
Virginia
takes the title of Virginia鈥檚 oldest business. It was founded in 1613 and still operates as a working plantation, as well as a private residence, a National Historic Landmark, and a state landmark.
Washington
in Roche Harbor, Washington, was . The historic hotel still maintains its old-fashioned character, including shared bathrooms for most of the rooms.
West Virginia
After White Sulphur Springs gained popularity as a trendy social resort in the mid-19th century, it constructed West Virginia鈥檚 first large hotel, , in . The luxurious 11,000-acre property has hosted many U.S. presidents over the years.
Wisconsin
is the oldest business in Wisconsin and one of the most historic breweries in the country. The brewery produces old-fashioned sodas in addition to craft beer.
Wyoming
, located in Hartville, Wyoming, has been in business since 1862. The bar was once a and other outlaws, according to Rick Roddam of KingFM.