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Erik Peterson Tom James Company Tampa Sarasota St Petersburg Lakeland: Johnston Murphy Spring 2016 Collection
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The William J. Dudley Shoe Company specialized in quality, highly durable work shoes for men, women and children. During its first 25 years, the company's growth forced five moves to increasingly larger locations. In 1880, Newark businessman James Johnston joined the company as Dudley's partner. Johnston's vision was to expand product lines and distribution channels. The company took the durability of its work shoes and built that into a line of higher-fashion footwear, which quickly became popular. In 1881, founder William Dudley died, and Johnston assumed control of the company under a new name, The James Johnston Company.
In 1884, William A. Murphy, another prominent Newark businessman from a distinguished family was intrigued by the success of Johnston's local shoe company. A partnership was formed, and the company became known as Johnston & Murphy.
In 1895, Murphy sold his interest in the company to Herbert P. Gleason, a former top salesman of the company. Gleason knew the value of a recognized brand name and decided to keep the Johnston & Murphy name as well as establish a national sales and marketing force. In the 1920s, Gleason's son, George Gleason, coined the company's first slogan, "The best shoes anybody can buy." He also developed a series of "handsome lifestyle" advertisements and ran campaigns in high-profile magazines such as Vanity Fair and The Saturday Evening Post. Ads featured the Country Club Series, a line of golf shoes, which became one of Johnston & Murphy's most popular.
About: Erik Peterson has been with the Tom James Company since 1995. He serves clients in the Tampa St Petersburg Lakeland Sarasota market with their personal clothing needs. Specializing in Custom Bespoke Mens Suits Shirts Ties and Casual wear Erik Peterson - - Tom James Company would be happy to assist you with your wardrobe planning. He typically sees his clients in their office or home by appointment and is happy to help fit or tailor any of your existing clothing.
