While teaching in 1866 at Willamette University under the supervision of Thomas Milton Gatch, recent graduate Joseph K. Gill purchased a school supply company in Salem, Oregon, and opened a small bookstore there in 1867.

Steel and purchased the Harris and Holeman stationery store at the corner of Front and Washington Streets ( "Parrish Building".).

In February 1872, the company acquired W. T. Shanahan's music store and relocated to the Holmes Building on 1st Street (now 417 SW First Ave.).

Alongside their existing range of books, stationery, and office supplies, the company also began to sell pianos and organs.

[2] At the time, the company employed about 500 people and its total of 36 stores comprised 27 in Oregon and Washington, and nine in California.

[12] By early 1984, J.K. Gill had added two stores in Arizona, and had 13 in Oregon, 15 in Washington, and an unspecified number in California.