1954
Bob Lapidus, 25-year-old retail entrepreneur, opens Bob's Surplus on Main Street in Middletown, Connecticut.

1957
Lapidus fosters customer-focused strategy: "Treat all customers with respect and dignity and they will return again and again."

1962
To accommodate success, Bob's Surplus moves to a larger space across the street.

1967
Destroyed by a fire on Easter Sunday, Bob's Surplus reopens half-a-block away.

1969
After 15 years in business, Bob's Surplus doubles in size.

1975
Bob's Surplus kicks off the pre-washed jeans craze by pre-washing thousands of pairs of jeans at area laundromats.

1981
Bob's Surplus opens its third store in Hamden, Connecticut.

1985
Bob's eliminates "Surplus" from its name and its product line. Focuses instead on quality name brands.

1988
Lapidus is named New England's "Outstanding Retailing Entrepreneur," and is inducted into the Institute of American Entrepreneurs.

1990
Melville Corporation, a Fortune 500 retailer, buys Bob's Stores.

1992
Bob's opens six new stores. All with great values on name brands.

1996
Bob's Stores experiences huge expansion with store openings throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.

1997
Bob's Stores is purchased by its own management, and Citiorp Venture Capital.

1998
Bob's Stores continues to grow and initiates chain-wide remodel.

2000
Bob's Stores goes virtual at www.bobstores.com.
Additional stores open.

2002
The New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI!

2003
Bob's Stores is acquired by The TJX Companies, Inc., the world's largest off-price retailer.

2004
Bob's Stores launches a new and improved www.bobstores.com.
After an 86-year drought, the Boston Red Sox win the World Series!
The New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIII.

2005
Bob’s Stores continues to open additional stores.
Skateboarders in the Northeast rejoice as the first annual “Ramp Tour” debuts.
The New England Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX. Two-in-a-row!

2007
Bob’s Stores Founder, Bob Lapidus, passes away at age 78. Bob’s Stores is 34 stores strong!
The Boston Red Sox win their 2nd World Championship in three years.

2008
Stay tuned!