Sam B Mayer & Sons

Sam B Mayer & Sons was a dry good business that started in 1903 at 138 Second Street. They were Henderson’s leading department store and known for their slogan, “Walk a Block and Save Money.”

Sam B. Mayer, the senior member of the firm, conducted it alone until 1911, when his sons, Alexander and Carl L. Mayer, were admitted to partnership and the firm name became Sam B. Mayer and Sons.

In 1915, the business was doing so well it needed more floor space. A deal was made whereby they leased the building on Main street adjoining their building. Contractors removed the walls between them and converted both rooms into one splendid room. This gave Mayer & Son entrances and store fronts both on Main street and Second streets.

Sam B Mayer & Sons was the originator of “Dollar Day” in Henderson, carrying on these sales around 1917.

In 1919, as business continued to grow, they expanded again and took over the entire corner at Second and Main.

Sam B Mayer died on 2 Jan 1923. His sons, Alexander Mayer and Carl Mayer, continued on with the business under the same name.

In 1924, they sold everything as rapidly as possible in order to turn the building over the Community Hotel company. Plans were complete for the new Richard Henderson Soaper hotel, and the contractors are waiting for Sam B Mayer & Sons to vacate to start construction. The building was razed in March of 1924.

Sam B Mayer & Sons moved to 125 North Main Street, the former Bennett-Moore Store, just a few doors below the previous store.

This new store had a unique feature, absolutely new to Henderson, The Baby Shop, where everything needed for little folk is displayed with Mrs. Claud Echols in charge.

During this time they adopted a new slogan:
“Henderson’s Fast Growing Department Store”

On 27 January 1930, a large fire destroyed the store at 123 N Main. They temporarily relocated to 132 N Main Street while they rebuilt at 123, 125 and 127 North Main Street.