Founded in 1947 as a jewelry store, it was acquired in 1985 by Service Merchandise.

The store was begun by Huey John Wilson in 1947 as a jewelry vendor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ten years later, Wilson opened his first catalog showroom.

By 1982, Wilson's was the third-largest catalog showroom chain in the United States.

In 1985, rival chain Service Merchandise purchased all 80 of the Wilson's stores.