In 1948, John Cotter formed Cotter & Company, a wholesaler that supplied products to hardware stores in the Chicago area. In 1962, after purchasing hardware wholesaler Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett, which manufactured products under the True Value name, Cotter & Company rebranded as True Value Company. There are now more than 4,500 True Value retail stores worldwide.
Chicago-based True Value hardware files for bankruptcy, agrees to sell to Do it Best
The hardware retailer’s 4,500 member stores are independently owned and will continue day-to-day operations.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2...lls-do-it-best