AUTOBACS STRAUSS INC. was created in 1982 through the acquisition of Strauss, a New York City auto-parts chain founded in 1919, by R&S Auto. It spent two years under the ownership of Japan's AUTOBACS SEVEN CO. before being sold back to its former owner Glenn Langberg in 2009. If your car conks out in the city that never sleeps you might seek out AUTOBACS STRAUSS (formerly Strauss Discount Auto) for a wake-up call. The auto parts and service chain has about 75 locations in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The stores sell accessories and car-care products, as well as hard parts such as batteries, mufflers, radiators, and spark plugs, tires, and tools. Many locations also offer repair services.

Brookshire's stores average about 40,000 sq. ft., while its warehouse-style Super 1 Foods stores average 80,000 sq. ft. More than 110 of Brookshire Grocery's stores have pharmacy departments. Originally part of the Brookshire Brothers grocery chain (dating back to 1921), the company split from it in 1939. By selling staples, specialties, and Southern hospitality, Brookshire Grocery Co. has grown into a chain of about 155 Brookshire's, Super 1 Food, Olé Foods, and ALPS supermarkets in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The company also owns three distribution centers, a dairy, and BGC Manufacturing, its private label manufacturing unit.

George Weston Limited is a Canadian public company, founded in 1882, engaged in food processing and distribution. The Company has two reportable operating segments: Loblaw Companies Limited and Weston Foods, and holds cash and short term investments. The Loblaw operating segment, which is operated by Loblaw Companies Limited and its subsidiaries, is Canada’s largest food distributor and a leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore, and financial products and services. The Weston Foods operating segment is a leading fresh and frozen baking company in Canada and is engaged in frozen baking and biscuit manufacturing in the United States. Weston seeks long term, stable growth in its operating segments through continuous capital investment supported by a strong balance sheet, thereby providing sustainable returns to its shareholders through a combination of common share price appreciation and dividends. In order to be successful in delivering long term value to shareholders and to fulfill its long term objectives of security and growth, Weston employs various operating strategies. Weston Foods concentrates on brand development, low operating costs and maintaining a broad customer base, with the objective of being the best provider of bakery solutions and fresh dairy products to its customers. Loblaw concentrates on food retailing, with the objective of providing Canadian consumers with the best in one-stop shopping for everyday household needs.

Farm Stores Corporation is exploring plans to expand its concept nationally. Founded in 1935, the Bared family, fronted by company president and CEO Carlos Bared, bought Farm Stores out of bankruptcy in 1992.Farm Stores Corporation's drive-thru markets, you never leave the car. With more than 100 Express Markets throughout Florida, Farm Stores is the nation's largest drive-thru grocery retailer. The chain's pre-paid Farm Stores Quick Card (think of it as a debit card for milk) allows customers to buy gallons more cheaply by paying in advance. The grocery chain's stores are supplied by Associated Grocers of Florida.

B&R Stores operates about 20 supermarkets in six cities across Nebraska and Iowa that operate under the Super Saver,Russ's Market,and ALPS(an acronym for Always Low Price Store) banners.The stores offer the usual grocery selections as well as carpet cleaner and video rentals.Other specialties include smoked meat products produced by in-store smokehouses at all Super Saver stores.The regional grocery chain was founded in 1962 by Russ Raybould (father of company president Pat Raybould) and Clayton Burnett.The Raybould family owns a majority stake in B&R Stores;employees own the rest.

Modern Builders Supply (MBS) is an old hand when it comes to windows and doors. The company, founded in 1944, makes and markets window and door systems through its Polaris Technologies division. The company's brands include Polaris Dynatech and Polaris UltraWeld. MBS also distributes products from other leading manufacturers, including roofing, siding, and accessories (Alcoa, Certainteed, Owens Corning); kitchen components (4B Wood Cabinets, Kraftmaid); entry and storm doors (Pease, Therma-Tru); and tools and equipment (QualCraft, Werner). President and CEO Kevin Leggett runs the company with his brother, COO Eric.

Gale knows how to get your garden to grow. Through four locations in Ohio, Gale's Garden Centers sells flowering trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and houseplants. In addition to the usual garden items, Gale's locations offer wildlife feeders, pet supplies, seasonal yard decor, and outdoor furniture. Design centers at some locations carry exclusive gift collections, books on gardening and home decor, personal care items, and 300 lines of collectibles, as well as provide professional decorating and design assistance. The company's Willoughby location includes a glass conservatory to showcase plants year-round.

CEO and president Dan Brettler founded the company in Bellevue, Washington, in 1987. When you outgrow toy cars, you're likely to find Car Toys. Car Toys sells in-car DVD systems, satellite radios, audio components, security systems, navigation systems, radar detectors, and wireless phones and plans. The company offers such brands as Alpine, Audiovox, JBL, Motorola, Panasonic, Pioneer, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Car Toys peddles its products through about 50 retail locations in several states, including Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, as well as through its website. In addition to offering electronics, Car Toys stores provide installation services and advice.

Restoration Hardware sells upscale home furnishings, hardware, bathware, garden products, and decorative items through more than 100 retail and outlet stores in 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. It also markets products through its catalogs and e-commerce sites. Restoration Hardware's assortment of home and office furniture is supplemented in part by its subsidiary The Michaels Furniture Company. Founded in 1980 by former chairman Stephen Gordon, Restoration Hardware was acquired for $175 million by private equity firms Catterton Partners and Tower Three Partners in 2008.

Costco Wholesale UK Limited operates about 20 members-only warehouse clubs in England and Scotland. The company is owned by the #1 US wholesale club operator Costco Wholesale, which has been gradually adding UK locations. The big-box stores sell appliances, consumer electronics, health and beauty products, groceries, and more. Membership fees are similar to those in the US. The company has been able to grow faster than competitors, including Wal-Mart-owned ASDA and Britain's #1 retailerTesco, because its status as a warehouse-club chain exempts it from zoning rules other retailers face when opening new stores. Costco Wholesale UK ultimately aims to grow to 40 stores and is exploring entering the Irish market.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.