It was founded in 1899 and operated a single location for over 60 years before starting expansion into a regional New Jersey chain of family apparel and accessory stores.

[2] It started as a dry goods and home furnishings' retailer before evolving into a department/clothing store and later only men's, women's and children's fashions.

[6] The store was reopened after suffering extensive smoke and water damage from a fire that destroyed several adjoining buildings in January 1951.

[8] Founder George F. Reynolds became company chairman upon incorporation and retained the position until his 100th birthday in April 1965.

The birthday and retirement[9] was celebrated with an open house at the Perth Amboy store which Reynolds attended.

[12] Charles H. Reynolds Jr., the founder's grandson joined the firm in 1954[3] and was the executive vice-president and general merchandising manager in 1964.

As the largest clothing store in the city, it was "regarded as an institution" but suffered from a declining downtown.

[18] In 1975, the company was awarded a $300,000 loan by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for the construction of a warehouse and distribution building in Toms River.

[24] The company established the off-price chain Rafters in 1978 which sold merchandise at a minimum 20% reduction to prices in the full-price stores.

It did this by keeping costs down with simpler stores and displays and operating with a smaller profit margin.

President Charles H. Reynolds Jr. had four children but none were interested in joining the family business.

[2][3] The buyer was an investment group led by William Goldman, owner of Edison, New Jersey–based Excelled Sheepskin and Leather Coat Corp.[3] The eight Reynolds locations, all in New Jersey, and 14 Rafters stores including 12 in New Jersey and two in Maryland were to continue to operate independently of the new owner.

[3] In 1996, at time of sale, the entire Reynolds company had 340 employees spread across its stores and 60 more in the headquarters and distribution center in Lakewood.

The distribution warehouse was closed in favor of a system that shipped product directly from manufacturers to the stores.

[27] For many years, the employee annual outstanding achievement award was named the "Betty Award" in honor of Elizabeth "Betty" Reynolds, the wife of thirty-year company president Charles H. Reynolds Sr., son of the chain's founder.