While doing my research for our trip, I discovered that:
L.L.Bean was founded in 1912 by avid hunter and fisherman Leon Leonwood Bean (born October 13, 1873) in Greenwood, Maine, who had developed a waterproof boot (a combination of lightweight leather uppers and rubber bottoms) that he sold to hunters. He obtained a list of nonresident Maine hunting license holders, prepared a descriptive mail order circular, set up a shop in his brother's basement in Freeport, Maine, and started a nationwide mail order business.
By 1912, he was selling the "Bean Boot," or Maine Hunting Shoe, through a four-page mail-order catalog, and the boot remains a staple of the company's outdoor image. Defects in the initial design led to 90% of the original production run being returned: Bean made good on his money-back guarantee, corrected the design, and continued selling them. Leon L. Bean died on February 5, 1967, in Pompano Beach, Florida. He is buried in Freeport's Webster Road Cemetery.
The company passed into the directorship of Bean's grandson, Leon Gorman, from that time until 2001, when Gorman decided to take the position of Chairman of the Board, leaving the position of CEO to Christopher McCormick, the first non-family member to assume the title.
L.L.Bean has a history of high quality manufacturing processes and products as well as excellent customer service. Their return policy is noted as being one of the best for any retailer. It is not uncommon to hear stories of L.L.Bean giving a customer a brand new product after one is brought in for repair. L.L. Bean is also a major business in Maine; out of 3 major businesses in Maine, L.L. Bean is the second most popular one. (Wikipedia)
The store is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. IT NEVER CLOSES!
There is a summer concert series that I really wanted to go to. Saturday evening we went to Freeport and attended the concert that night at 7:30. Sorry but I cannot remember the name of the guy who opened nor the group that performed. They were good though.
It was fun to be out and about with my family. We made a memory together and that is what it's all about. As our Stake president counseled: "Have fun together". We did.
The pictures are taken of the kids outside of Friendly's where we ate dinner. While at dinner we meet a family that use to live in Maryland. Darrel met them first on his way to the restroom while I sat at the table with 4 squirmy and hungry kids. When he finally returned to the table it was my turn to visit the restroom. I met the same family and they talked to me even longer! One thing the mother said to me was,
"Honey, if you do end up moving here, just know you're gonna gain weight! "cause we just don't care. That's how laid back we are."
If you read "The Blitz Is On" you will know that this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear.
1 comment:
Did you go to LL Bean in the middle of the night? We've been there before and I wondered how much business it does all night long!
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