The Oldest Family Business in Every State
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Too scared to start your own business? Don’t be! Across the U.S., hundreds of family businesses have stood the test of time, conquering everything from the Great Depression to blowout sibling squabbles.
While plenty of us would rather pluck out our own eyelashes than work for our crazy in-laws, many of the best businesses began with families who mastered the art of teamwork. Keep reading to find out about some of the oldest family businesses across the country — including one that stayed in the family for 12 generations!
Alabama: Bromberg’s
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Founded: 1836
Type of business: Jewelry
Locations: Birmingham and Mobile
Alabama had been a state for a mere 18 years when Frederick Bromberg first opened the doors to his jewelry store. The Prussian immigrant clearly had a knack for selecting the finest of gemstones because his jewelry shops are still open in two locations today. A business that’s lasted through six generations is pretty impressive!
Alaska: Alaska Commercial Co.
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Founded: 1867
Type of business: General store
Locations: 33 stores across the state
A company with roots to Catherine the Great here in the U.S.? As surprising as that is, the Alaska Commercial Co. was actually purchased by Lewis Gerstle and Louis Sloss in 1867 when the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia. They just switched out the name, and the store has been thriving ever since.
Arizona: The Palace
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Founded: 1877
Type of business: Restaurant and bar
Location: Prescott
Bars and restaurants pop on this list pretty often, and it makes sense. Our ancestors liked good food and a cold beer just as much as we do! The Palace originally appeared on a street known as Whiskey Row that was once lined with more than 40 bars. It doesn’t look quite like the original, but it’s still frequently cited as one of the best bars in America.
Arkansas: Rose Law Firm
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Founded: 1820
Type of business: Law practice
Location: Little Rock
Rose Law Firm has been around since before Arkansas was even a state. As one of the oldest law firms in the U.S., Rose Law Firm is a force to be reckoned with. Let’s just say we wouldn't have wanted to get in a Thanksgiving-dinner debate with founders Robert Crittenden and Chester Ashley.
California: Ducommun
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Founded: 1849
Type of business: Aerospace manufacturer
Location: Santa Ana
Did you know Ducommun used to be an ordinary hardware store? From those humble beginnings, the company has since grown to produce electronics for heavy duty American industries, including both aerospace and national security.
Colorado: R&R Market
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Founded: 1857
Type of business: Grocery and general
Location: Costilla
Founded by Dario Gallegos, R&R Market began as a small adobe building perched on a mud foundation. It turns out mud is a stronger foundation than one might think because one of Gallego’s descendants, Felix Romero, is still running the grocery store today. The shop has become a special place for locals and is especially significant to the area’s Hispanic culture.
Connecticut: Field View Farm
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Founded: 1639
Type of business: Dairy and farm equipment manufacturer
Location: Orange
The Field View Farm is the fourth-oldest business in the country. Even today, it’s proudly owned and operated by the Hine family, which has been in the farming business for 12 generations! The business has survived centuries of change. That even includes a fire that destroyed the main barn and other parts of the dairy operation, which almost ran them out of business during the 1990s.
Delaware: Jessop's Tavern
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Founded: 1724
Type of business: Bar and historical site
Location: New Castle
If your family is into both Renaissance Fairs and bars, Jessop’s Tavern is a must-see. The bar was founded in the 1700s, and (unlike some of the businesses on this list) avoiding change is what kept it going. The tavern still serves up authentic colonial food and drinks, and servers dress in realistic period pieces.
Florida: Pensacola Hardware
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Founded: 1851
Type of business: Hardware
Location: Pensacola
We all have family friends, but some families are closer than others. The Averys and Martins have worked together for nearly 180 years, operating a simple hardware store dedicated to serving the Pensacola community. While not as flashy as some of the other businesses on this list, Pensacola hardware has clearly mastered the art of adapting to the needs of its changing clientele.
Georgia: The Pirates' House
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Founded: 1753
Type of business: Restaurant
Location: Savannah
The Pirates’ House is located in the oldest structure in Georgia, and its history is just as intriguing as its location. It began not as a restaurant but as an agricultural experiment designed to help America develop better methods of producing food. We can’t know for sure, but rumor has it that Robert Louis Stevenson paid the spot a visit while he was working on his masterpiece, “Treasure Island.”
Hawaii: Amfac
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Founded: 1849
Type of business: Land development
Location: Lahaina
While Amfac began as a sugar company, it has since made the switch to land development. Since the company has lasted about 150 years, the change must have been a smart move!
Idaho: Joyce Livestock Co.
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Founded: 1865
Type of business: Cattle ranch
Location: Owyhee County
The Joyce-Nettleton family has been operating an 11,000-acre cattle ranch since the 1800s, which has led to conflicts with the government for nearly five generations. In fact, Paul Nettleton took the government to court about a decade ago and won a case that protected ranchers’ water rights. That ruling has helped several other farmers in the West.
Illinois: C.D. Peacock
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Founded: 1837
Type of business: Jewelry
Location: Chicago
Founded by an English immigrant as a jewelry and watch repair store, C.D. Peacock survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and now operates numerous stores around the city. The shop was founded the same year Chicago became incorporated as a city, when its population reached 4,000 residents.
Indiana: Register Publications
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Founded: 1836
Type of business: Publishing Company
Location: Lawrenceburg
After Danner’s Hardware sold in 2010, Register Publications took over as the oldest business in Indiana. It owns several newspapers and guides.
Iowa: Breitbach's Country Dining
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Founded: 1852
Type of business: Restaurant and bar
Location: Balltown
Even though the Breitbach’s restaurant was technically founded by another owner, it has remained in the family ever since they purchased it in the 1800s. The ancient eatery has been around as long as locals can remember and has bounced back after two fires in 2007 and 2008. Thank goodness — because reviewers seem to love their homemade pies!
Kansas: Davis Funeral Chapel
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Founded: 1855
Type of business: Funeral home
Location: Leavenworth
Not one, not two, but seven generations of Davises have helped families say goodbye to their loved ones at the Davis Funeral Chapel. But not every goodbye at their chapel has been peaceful. Because of its location in the same town of one of the country’s most notorious medium-security prisons, their clients have included hardcore criminals like Bugs Moran, Richard Hickock and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
Kentucky: Jim Beam
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Founded: 1795
Type of business: Alcohol distillery
Location: Clermont
The Böhm family name isn’t the most recognizable, but their brand is. The family immigrated from Germany in the 1700s and started up the Jim Beam distillery. Now famous for its bourbon, the label lasted through seven generations before it was sold to Suntory Holdings of Japan.
Louisiana: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
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Founded: 1772
Type of business: Bar
Location: New Orleans
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop has nothing to do with ironwork at all — it’s actually a bar that dates back to the city’s Spanish Colonial period. Some believe it was used by Jean and Pierre Lafitte as a cover for their smuggling business. Located on Bourbon Street, it still serves up beer and frozen drinks today.
Maine: Seaside Inn
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Founded: 1667
Type of business: Hotel
Location: Kennebunkport
It’s hard to imagine a business that’s more than 100 years older than America itself, but the Gooch family made it happen. Their Seaside Inn began as a resting spot for workers on the Kennebunk River ferry, and it’s still there today, making it the oldest hotel in the U.S.!
Maryland: Middleton Tavern
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Founded: 1750
Type of business: Restaurant
Location: Annapolis
Not so much a bar as it is a restaurant, Middleton Tavern is Maryland’s oldest business. Supposedly, the Founding Fathers visited the dining spot on numerous occasions.
Massachusetts: Barker’s Farm
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Founded: 1642
Type of business: Farm and orchard
Location: North Andover
As the fifth oldest business in the country, Barker’s Farm has lasted through 11 generations. Today, it still sells fruit, veggies and plants for the garden. The orchard’s greatest claim to fame? Its extra-sweet apples.
Michigan: George Jerome & Co.
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Founded: 1828
Type of business: Civil engineering
Location: Detroit
The Jerome name is as old as Detroit itself. The family set up shop as a city staple, working hard to design the city’s layout and streets. The city has changed a lot since the business was founded, but George Jerome & Co. is still going strong.
Minnesota: Fred W. Radde & Sons
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Founded: 1886
Type of business: Auctioneer
Location: New Germany
Apparently, the rhythmic drone of the auctioneer drawl is hereditary. Fred W. Radde began conducting live auctions in the late 1800s, and Fred Radde III is still doing it today. To adapt to our modern preference for online bidding, he also conducts online auctions.
Mississippi: King’s Tavern
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Founded: 1789
Type of business: Restaurant and bar
Location: Natchez
The King’s Tavern has held the same name for centuries, but it’s changed a lot. What began as a tavern has since evolved into a farm-to-table restaurant located in a historic section of Natchez. Rumor has it the infamous Harpe brothers (considered the earliest documented serial killers) paid it a visit toward the end of the 18th century.
Missouri: O’Malley’s Pub
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Founded: 1842
Type of business: Brewery
Location: Weston
Once home to pub after pub, the riverbanks of Weston now boast just one. O’Malley’s is a town relic that continues to use an old, 60-foot-deep cellar to craft beer and entertain guests.
Montana: Bale of Hay Saloon
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Founded: 1863
Type of business: Bar
Location: Virginia City
While the Bale of Hay Saloon hasn’t been open continuously since 1863, it has retained its spooky charm throughout the years. It was originally a liquor and grocery store before becoming a saloon in 1890. Visitors still claim to feel an eerie presence there, sparking rumors that the place is haunted. The saloon has gone through several ownerships, including being owned by the Bovey family who restored it in 1945. Today, two sisters run the joint.
Nebraska: Florence Mill
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Founded: 1843
Type of business: Historic mill and museum
Location: Omaha
The Florence Mill was constructed by Brigham Young and several Mormon pioneers. It was a productive piece of machinery for many years. While it changed ownership a couple times, the Weber family operated it continuously for more than 104 years — long considered the state’s longest operating business. Today, it has been renovated into a historic museum and local art gallery.
Nevada: Genoa Bar
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Founded: 1853
Type of business: Bar
Location: Genoa
Genoa Bar has a shady history, considering it was once a brothel. Now, there’s little hint to its checkered past besides a red oil lamp that’s lit once a year on New Year’s Eve. It, too, has changed hands several times, but now it’s owned by Willy and Cindy Webb. Many famous people have visited throughout the years, including Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
New Hampshire: Tuttle's Red Barn
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Founded: 1632
Type of business: Farm
Location: Dover
After centuries in business, Tuttle’s Red Barn was sold in 2013. Before that, it was one of the oldest family farms in the U.S.! It’s even the star of a children’s book under the same name. While it’s no longer the farm it once was, it still operates as a quaint country store.
New Jersey: Barnsboro Inn
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Founded: 1720
Type of business: Restaurant and bar
Location: Sewell
In 1720, John Budd built a log cabin at the edge of a forest that later became a location where five main roads intersected. Later in 1776, the property’s new owner, John Barnes, petitioned in Gloucester County Court to license the house as a tavern because “there is not one said road nearer than eight miles on one side and five on the other.” It quickly became a safe haven for tired travelers and their horses, but now, it’s a restaurant. Even though the business’ focus has shifted over the years, visitors can still see the original log cabin that anchors the property.
New Mexico: El Farol
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Founded: 1835
Type of business: Restaurant
Location: Santa Fe
Dating back to the early 1800s, El Farol is New Mexico’s oldest business. The Spanish restaurant sparked a game theory called “The El Farol Bar Problem,” which addresses the issue of having an overcrowded bar in a small city.
New York: Saunderskill Farm
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New York: Saunderskill Farm
Founded: 1680
Type of business: Farm and market
Location: Accord
Here’s one example of a business that stays true to its roots — get it? The Schoonmakers have been working their land for 340 years, still producing year-round produce, flowers and tasty treats.
North Carolina: Tavern in Old Salem
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Founded: 1784
Type of business: Restaurant
Location: Winston-Salem
Old Salem Tavern was technically built in 1816 as an annex to the historic 1784 Tavern. The family-owned restaurant made a name for itself for its dishes inspired by the Moravian families living in the area. It’s most popular is its traditional Moravian chicken pie, which dates back to colonial times. It’s filled with hearty broth and big pieces of flavorful chicken — what more could you want?
North Dakota: The Bismarck Tribune
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Founded: 1873
Type of business: Newspaper
Location: Bismarck
Even though news coverage has shifted to online outlets in recent history, The Bismarck Tribune is still a familiar name to most of us. The newspaper was founded in the late 1800s by Clement A. Lounsberry, and it covered the biggest stories of the 20th century. It’s still operational today, with many awards and even a Pulitzer under its belt.
Ohio: The Golden Lamb
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Founded: 1803
Type of business: Hotel
Location: Lebanon
In 1803, Jonas Seaman spent a mere $4 for a license to operate the establishment that is still serving food and offering lodging to travelers more than 200 years later. Where does it get its name? Back at a time when several people didn’t know how to read, The Golden Lamb’s original sign included no words — just a picture of a golden lamb. Throughout the years, the historic hotel was visited by numerous noteworthy guests, including 12 presidents!
Oklahoma: BC Clark Jewelers
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Founded: 1892
Type of business: Jewelry
Location: Oklahoma City
Oklahoma residents have all heard BC Clark’s annual holiday jingle — claimed to be the longest continuously running jingle in the country. The jeweler began the tradition back in 1956, and the ads have continued running from Thanksgiving through Christmas ever since. Some love it, some hate it, but it’s hard to put down a business that’s lasted over a century. Today, the company operates three locations throughout Oklahoma City.
Oregon: Van Dusen Beverages
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Founded: 1849
Type of business: Beverage bottler
Location: Astoria
One of the original soda companies, Van Dusen has supplied locals with some of their favorite carbonated beverages since the 1800s. While the business originally began as a general store, it evolved into the beverage bottler we know today. Now, Van Dusen bottles everything from water to Pepsi to sports drinks!
Pennsylvania: The Rowland Co.
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Founded: 1732
Type of business: Transmission products manufacturer
Location: Philadelphia
Ever thought of making shovels for a living? That’s exactly how the founders of the Rowland Co. got started. The Rowlands owned the company until the 1950s, seeing it through a major shift from a small shovel company into a producer of industrial products. The company was so large at one point that a section of Philadelphia became known as Rowlandville!
Rhode Island: Kenyon’s Grist Mill
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Founded: 1696
Type of business: Grain mill
Location: Usquepaugh
Would you believe Kenyon’s Grist Mill still uses the original stone grinder it started with? The mill is proud of its single-pass grinding process, which is responsible for a boost in nutrient retention compared to the flour and meal produced by industrial mills. One of the company’s most popular products is its Johnny Cake cornmeal used to make the area’s popular Johnny Cakes. Local families go crazy for these things!
South Carolina: Lakeside Mills
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Founded: 1736
Type of business: Grain mill
Location: Spindale
Lakeside Mills was purchased by the King family in 1929, where it has remained for four generations. But its history goes way deeper — even serving as a primary food source during the Revolutionary War. Today, the company still produces Southern-style favorites like stone-ground grits, hushpuppy and biscuit mixes, and seasoned breadcrumbs. This company is so family-oriented that it has a Family Album of photos on its website.
South Dakota: Look's Market
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Founded: 1883
Type of business: Gourmet food shop
Location: Sioux Falls
The Look brothers moved from Germany to Sioux Falls in the late 1800s and set up a couple of businesses in the area. But only one remains: Look’s Market. One of the original gourmet food destinations in the state, it has been offering up seasoned meats, cheeses and organic produce since our great grandparents were around.
Tennessee: Austin and Bell Funeral Home
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Founded: 1842
Type of business: Funeral home
Locations: Multiple
Carpenter Marion Henry originally made cabinets before realizing making coffins was a more lucrative endeavor. Nearly 200 years later, his business is still around, with the original hearse’s carriage lights mounted in the entryway.
Texas: Imperial Sugar
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Founded: 1843
Type of business: Sugar producer
Location: Sugar Land
Sweet, sweet victory. That’s what we would imagine the founders of Imperial Sugar would think if they could see the company now. It started out small, but it grew rapidly into a national sugar manufacturer. Even though the business has downsized in recent years, the company is still alive and well, albeit on a smaller scale.
Utah: The Deseret News
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Founded: 1850
Type of business: Newspaper
Location: Salt Lake City
A newspaper with religious roots, the Deseret News drew its name from the “sort-of” state founded by Utah Mormons before the state of Utah actually existed. “Deseret” actually means "honeybee" in the Book of Mormon, and the paper began after a direct order from the church. Even today, it’s still owned by it.
Vermont: Fort Ticonderoga Ferry
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Founded: 1759
Type of business: Ferry boat
Location: Shoreham
Even though the ferry ride across Lake Champlain is only 7-minutes long, the picturesque waters have called families across for more than two centuries. The cable ferry connects Ticonderoga, New York, with Shoreham, Vermont. Of all the ferries operating in the U.S., the Fort Ticonderoga Ferry is the oldest!
Virginia: Shirley Plantation
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Founded: 1613
Type of business: Farm
Location: Charles City
We’ve finally made it to the United States’ oldest business. Owned and operated by the Hill family since the mid-1600s — that’s 11 generations! — the working plantation is now a museum and also a National Historic Landmark.
Washington: Laird Norton Co.
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Founded: 1855
Type of business: Wealth management
Location: Seattle
Would you believe Laird Norton originated as a logging business? Logging was a massive industry in the Pacific Northwest back in the day, but the company pulled a 180 and became an investment firm instead. After seven generations of success in wealth management, it looks like rewriting the family business was a good call.
Washington, D.C.: Old Ebbitt Grill
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Founded: 1856
Type of business: Restaurant
Location: Downtown
Old Ebbitt hasn’t always stayed in the same location, but it has delighted visitors with amazing oysters and an annual festival since the mid-1800s. The Victorian-themed restaurant seats 567 people and is currently located in downtown Washington, D.C.
West Virginia: The Greenbrier
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Founded: 1778
Type of business: Resort
Location: Allegheny Mountains
Of all the businesses on this list, the Greenbrier is without a doubt the fanciest. One of America’s first resorts, the Greenbrier has housed 27 presidents on its 11,000 gorgeous acres. What started as White Sulphur Springs — named for the restorative spring house located in the center of the property — became the massive resort it is today when the Calwell family built a huge hotel here in 1858. Today, guests can still enjoy the natural mineral springs as well as 20 restaurants and 36 shops.
Wisconsin: Minhas Craft Brewery
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Founded: 1845
Type of business: Brewery
Location: Monroe
Visitors to Trader Joe’s and Costco probably don’t know that some of their favorite brews have historic origins. Both Trader Joe’s “Simpler Times” and “Boatswain” brands and Costco’s beer label are produced by Minhas Craft Brewery, which is the second-oldest in the U.S., having survived both Prohibition and the Great Depression. Now owned by brother and sister, Ravinder and Manjit Minhas, it is currently the 13th largest craft brewery in America. The Minhas’ museum features years of historical beer knick-knacks, and patrons can grab an alcopop on their way out!
Wyoming: Miners and Stockmen’s
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Founded: 1862
Type of business: Restaurant
Location: Hartville
Mmmmm, steak! Miners and Stockmen’s keeps it simple with good steak, a great wine selection and fine whiskeys. The town of Hartville now has few residents, but local families and tourists still flock to the historic restaurant. Some say they’ve even heard the echoing tunes of a piano-playing ghost floating down the halls!