E.W. James Supermarkets all started back in 1934, when Etheridge William “E.W.” James, the 31-year-old clerk in Hickman, KY, made an agreement to purchase a small corner grocery store from his brother-in-law. His business grew, so E.W. decided to purchase another store located in downtown Hickman, which he called “Cash & Carry.” Mr. James also bought pecans and furs from local dealers.
In 1952, Mr. James expanded his company to Obion County in Tennessee. The Union City store became the largest in the chain, with eleven check lanes and serving 12,000 customers a week.
Mr. E.W. had two sons, Billy Joe James and David W. James, and two daughters, Mrs. Nancy Halterman and Mrs. Wanda Faye Naylor. Through the James children, E.W. James Supermarkets worked hard to make excellence the trademark of their family’s business.
In 1950, Mr. E.W. James’s son, Billy Joe James started working full time with his father. Billy Joe moved from Hickman to Obion County. He worked in the Union City store, pouring his energy into the grocery business and his goal was to expand the company.
After graduation, from Murray State University, and serving his country between 1966-1968 as First Lieutenant in the United States Army, David W. James joined the family owned business. With Billy Joe and David’s guidance, the company grew and they opened another store in Ripley, TN in 1973. After setting goals for new store openings, they opened 4 new stores between 1979-1980.
In 1989, David James bought the company from his brother and sisters. David’s hard work helped grow the company to locations throughout West Tennessee including the towns of: Dresden, Huntingdon, McKenzie, Union City, Waynesboro, Ripley, Martin, Paris, and Troy. The family-owned and operated company is based in Union City, TN.
As of today, Lee Ann James, David W. James’s daughter, now owns the company and serves as CEO.