About

J.J. and S.P. Richards – Books, Music & Fancy Store Jabez and Samuel Richards go into partnership and open first store in Macon, GA

J.J. and S.P. Richards reopen store after Civil War

Paper clips are a HOT NEW ITEM to help offices keep documents more organized.

Downtown Atlanta. Samuel Richards buys out his brother, Jabez, to become primary owner of S.P. Richards.

Crayola is founded and starts selling first crayons to distributors like S.P. Richards

Samuel Richard’s sons, Walter, George & Russell, take over the business

Check written to a Mr. Burbank from George Richards in the amount of $6.50, equivalent in today’s economy to $230.75

S.P. Richards starts offering Royal Typewriters in their line of office products

S.P. Richards truck delivered office supplies and paper to the greater Atlanta area.

The Great Atlanta Fire destroyed 1,938 buildings that spanned 72 city blocks, nearly missing the S.P. Richards warehouse.

S.P. Richards Wholesale Paper Division was launched

Richards brothers sell company to Rhodes Family

Pink Pearl erasers reach American markets from their German origin. Eraser heads were not added to pencils until 1975.

S.P. Richards started offering Swingline staplers as they become an industry standard for stapler design and dependability.

Rolodex contact organizer became a staple on office desks around the U.S.

SP Richards started offering state of the art copy machines, the once infamous household name, Xerox

S.P. Richards acquired by Genuine Parts Company

S.P. Richards now has delivery networks spanning the west to east coast

S.P. Richards opened warehouse distribution centers in more than 10 new cities

S.P. Richards acquired Norwestra, which then became SPR Canada.

S.P. Richards acquired regional wholesalers O’Henry (no, not the candy bar), PPI & Action Wholesale

S.P. Richards launched Business Source^® product line

S.P. Richards acquired Garland C. Norris and Impact Products

S.P. Richards’ headquarters and primary distribution center caught fire destroying offices, products and historic records.

S.P. Richards HQ moved to new office building in Wildwood area of greater Atlanta, GA

Southeastern Paper Group acquired Garland C. Norris

Novexco acquired SPR Canada

HIG Capital acquired Impact & Safety Zone

Investor Group led by industry professionals Yancey Jones Sr. and Mike Maggio, acquired S.P. Richards

S.P. Richards acquired by Central National Gottesman Inc.