Michaels Stores is pretty crafty. The nation's #1 arts and crafts retailer owns and operates about 1,040 Michaels Stores canvassing the US and Canada. Michaels sells more than 40,000 products including art and hobby supplies, decor, frames, needlecraft kits, party supplies, seasonal products, and silk and dried flowers. Michaels also operates about 140 Aaron Brothers stores in California, Texas, and about half a dozen other states, which provide framing and art supplies. The retailer's Artistree subsidiary manufactures frames and molding for Michaels and Aaron Brothers stores. Michaels Stores was taken private in 2006 by the investment firms Bain Capital Partners and The Blackstone Group.

America’s Car-Mart, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company focuses on the buy here/pay here segment of the used car market. It primarily sells older model used vehicles and provides financing for its customers. The company purchases vehicles through wholesalers, new car dealers, individuals, and from auctions. It operates approximately 99 automotive dealerships in 8 states. The company was founded in 1981 and is based in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Backcountry.com is an online retailer of outdoor and backcountry gear. The company sells products for activities such as skiing, backpacking, camping, snowboarding, rock climbing, kayaking, and mountaineering. Its offerings include more than 400 brands, such as Burton, K2, The North Face, Oakley, and Rossignol. Backcountry.com was founded in 1996 by CEO Jim Holland and president John Bresee. Backcountry.com is a subsidiary of Liberty Media, which owns more than 80% of the online retailer's equity.

Edwin Watts Golf is a leading golf specialty retail chain in the US. The company operates about 70 golf specialty stores in 10 mostly southeastern states and Texas. Its stores sell clubs, golf balls, bags, training aids, and more. The company also sells golf equipment by catalog and online, and it operates a club leasing program for novices and golfers who like to try out state-of-the-art gear. Edwin Watts Golf was founded in 1968 as a small pro shop at the municipal golf course in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, by brothers Edwin and Ronnie Watts. It is owned by an affiliate of investment firm Sun Capital Partners.

Cargiant was founded in 1977, helping to pioneer the car supermarket concept in the UK. The London-based dealer stocks as many as 5,000 cars, including models from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, MG, and Vauxhall. The dealer offers financing through Blackhorse Plc, a unit of Llyods Banking Group(formerly Lloyds TSB), and other financial institutions. A PCP Program is provided for those who prefer 24- to 36-month leases.People looking for really big deals on wheels sometimes turn to Cargiant. The company, formerly The Great Trade Centre Ltd., is a supermarket for used automobiles.

Adventure 16, Inc. operates a chain of retail outdoor outfitters in Southern California. It has about half a dozen locations, plus a wholesale division that distributes accessories for backpacking, camping, climbing, and adventure travel. The company offers lifetime guarantees on all its private-label products. Its Web site offers resources, guides, and classes for outdoor journeys, a backpacker's checklist, an interactive map and reviews of recommended hikes, a gallery of adventure photos, and an outdoor blog written by staff. Adventure 16 was incorporated by Mic Mead in 1970.

Golfsmith International caters to country club sports fans. Through its catalogs, website, and more than 70 stores in about 20 states, the company sells golf and tennis equipment, apparel, and accessories from major makers (such as TaylorMade-adidas, Callaway, Mizuno, and Nike) and its own brands (Golfsmith, Clubmaker, Killer Bee, J.G. Hickory, Lynx, and ZTech, among others). It also teaches golfers to assemble their own clubs, and offers custom fitting and repair services for clubs and racquets. In addition to its retail operations, Golfsmith runs the Harvey Penick Golf Academy, an instructional school for golfers in Texas. The company was founded in 1967 as a mail-order seller of custom-made golf clubs.

Founded in 1946 by Bill and Roberta Zimmer, the family-owned chain is run by CEO Alan Zimmer. Lovers wishing to express the sparkle in their relationships might consider consulting Reeds Jewelers. Operating about 90 jewelry stores mainly in malls in 18 states from Texas to Delaware, Reeds offers diamond rings and jewelry, gold jewelry and chains, gemstone rings, watches, and other baubles. Though most operate under the Reeds Jewelers name, in malls where Reeds has already staked a claim, stores are called Mills Jewelers; Reeds also sells products via its Web site and catalog. Diamonds (mostly up to one carat in weight) and gems account for almost 60% of the firm's sales.

Lakeshore Equipment Company aims to make learning fun. Through about 50 Lakeshore Learning Stores in two dozen states, Lakeshore Equipment company sells educational toys and classroom tools, including art supplies, games, learning kits, textbooks, and teacher resource packets. It also offers products that address multicultural learning environments and special needs children, as well as in-store teacher workshops. In addition to its store network, Lakeshore Equipment markets learning materials via its two mail-order catalogs and website. Ethelyn Kaplan founded Lakeshore Equipment company in 1954. Today it is run by her son Michael (chairman) and grandsons Bo (president and CEO) and Josh (VP of Merchandising).

Books-A-Million, Inc. operates as a book retailer in the southeastern United States. The company operates superstores and traditional bookstores that offer a selection of hardcover and paperback books, magazines, and newspapers. It also offers other merchandise, including gifts, cards, collectibles, magazines, music, and DVDs, as well as coffee, tea, and other edible products. The company also offers its products over the Internet at Booksamillion.com. It markets its products under the trademarks of Books-A-Million, BAM! Books-A-Million, Bookland, Books & Co., Millionaire’s Club, Sweet Water Press, Thanks-A-Million, Big Fat Coloring Book, Up All Night Reader, Read & Save Rebate, Readables Accessories for Readers, Kids-A-Million, Teachers First, The Write-Price, Bambeanos, Hold That Thought, Book$mart, BAMM, BAMM.com, BOOKSAMILLION.com, Chillatte, Joe Muggs Newsstand, Page Pets, JOEMUGGS.com, FAITHPOINT.com, Faithmark, Joe Muggs, Anderson’s Bookland, Snow Joe, American Wholesale Book Company, AWBC, and NetCentral. As of January 31, 2010, the company operated 223 stores, including 201 superstores under the Books-A-Million and Books & Co. brands; and 22 traditional stores under the Bookland and Books-A-Million brands in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Books-A-Million, Inc. was founded in 1917 and is based in Birmingham, Alabama.

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