William Thomas Grant, who founded the W.T. Grant (a.k.a. Grants) chain in December 1906. By 1971, the company was operating 1,168 stores.

Photo from http://wtgrantfoundation.org / The W.T. Grant Foundation

In 1960, Grants was building larger "Grantsville Concept" stores. An expanded line of merchandise was introduced, which included sporting goods, radios, televisions, stereo phonographs and furniture. In February 1961, a line of Bradford-brand freezers, refrigerators, washers and dryers made their debut.

Photo from W. T. Grant Company Annual Report 1959