The original business, known as the Boston Store, was owned and operated by the White Brothers from 1882 to 1896.
He enlarged the store by adding a second floor, a grand double staircase in the center, and a grocery department on the lower level.
Robert S. Reid Jr. served as President of Wilson's from the time of his father's death in 1961 until his retirement in 1990.
[1] He installed the first computer system and had overseen many interior remodeling projects,[2] but elected to liquidate and close the store upon his retirement.
[4] Wilson's closed on January 31, 2020, by which time it was one of the few independent family–owned single–location traditional department stores (with an extensive complement of traditional departments, such as housewares, as well as clothing and cosmetics, sold at full prices) remaining in the United States.