Our Beginning

In celebration of Reed’s 120^th Anniversary year I am excited to begin a “blog” called “Jack’s Thread” through December 31, 2025.

In 1905 my grandfather, R.W. “Bob” Reed a 26-year-old from Itawamba County, Mississippi crossed the county line and opened a mercantile establishment here in Tupelo. Arriving with all the education he could get (8^th grade) he was also armed with a quick mind, a great laugh, a willingness to work hard, and a lot of ambition. The name over the door said simply, “Reed’s.”

From a general store selling saddles and coffee and farm supplies the business gradually evolved into more of a clothing store. Bob just loved to sell. ( As a boy he had gone door to door selling the book “A History of The Spanish American War” before the war had actually ended! ) 

He also quickly pitched in on any community project needing support. This culture of entrepreneurship, matched with giving back, have remained two of the core values which continue 120 years later.

Reed’s has survived the Great Depression and several deep recessions, a killer tornado and three more, two world wars and too many other wars, the “malling of America,” Covid, and the advent of online retailing, to name just a few of the challenges. But with the tremendous help of a great many fine employees, several branches of the family tree, and generations of loyal customers, Reed’s is still here!