| Often when you think of trendy hip clothing retailers | | | | developing the decision was made to start their own |
| you will think of Gap. The chain that is based in San | | | | private label brands. By 1976 they were ready for |
| Francisco, California was founded by Donald Fisher | | | | their big coming out party as the company was able |
| and Doris Fisher in 1969. Today it operates over | | | | to go public on both the New York and Pacific stock |
| 3,000 stores and employs over 150,000 people all | | | | exchanges. Their initial public offering was for 1.2 |
| over the world. In addition to its trademark brand it | | | | million shares. |
| also owns and operates Banana Republic and Old | | | | They have two other trademark brands that operate |
| Navy stores as well. | | | | their own stores. Banana Republic which was bought |
| When Donald and Doris Fisher opened that first store | | | | in 1983 is an upscale line of clothing but began as a |
| in 1969 they did so in a theatre located on Ocean | | | | catalog merchant featuring safari themed clothes. |
| Avenue in San Jose, California. Early on it featured | | | | The other one Old Navy was launched in 1994 and is |
| Levi's blue jeans, records and tapes. They were | | | | known as a value chain but with a specialty flair. |
| located near San Francisco State University and were | | | | Together the three brands make up Gap Inc. as it is |
| trying to appeal to that younger hip generation. | | | | known today. |
| Shortly after opening though they decided to | | | | Over the years Gap Inc. has had its share of |
| discontinue selling the records and tapes and to | | | | problems. Everything from bad marketing and lack of |
| concentrate on selling clothes. | | | | focus to trademark disputes and labor issues. But |
| Gap saw a great deal of early success as they were | | | | they continue to work through these problems. Just |
| able to hit on what the younger generation wanted | | | | imagine though the fact that a company with over |
| to wear at the time. This look consisted of blue | | | | 3,000 stores and 150,000 employees began as one |
| jeans and white cotton t-shirts otherwise known as | | | | store in an old theatre near a college. Donald Fisher |
| the "basic look". By 1970 their store was doing a brisk | | | | and Doris Fisher had an idea and after finding some |
| $2 million a year in sales. They soon realized they | | | | success with that idea they were not afraid to run |
| would have to expand. And expand they did. By 1973 | | | | with it. Regardless of the troubles of recent years |
| they had grown to 25 stores and were able to open | | | | they have left a legacy that will survive well into the |
| their first of soon to be many east coast locations in | | | | future. And giving others inspiration that they if those |
| Voorhees, New Jersey. | | | | two can build something so great why can't we all. |
| In 1974 realizing the name recognition the brand was | | | | |