Demeritt’s Department Store
Demeritt’s Department Store (/ˈdɛm ɹɪts/), better known simply as Demeritt’s, is a popular family owned department store in Madbury, New Hampshire. Founded at the turn of the century by Maj. John Demeritt IV, great-great-grandson of the eponymous Revolutionary War hero, the store has for decades been a commercial fixture in Center Madbury, and a major local employer.
With the conclusion of the First World War in 1918, and the return from France of his two sons, John V and Rodney, John Demeritt was able to retire from the business, and the second generation took over the store. The following year, a fire broke out overnight at the Hales’ Dover Road property and, despite the valiant efforts of the fledgeling Madbury Volunteer Fire Company, the place burned to the ground, leaving Demeritt’s as the only dry goods store in town.
In 1921, the Demeritt brothers opened Demeritt’s Department Store at its current location on the corner of Main and Depot Streets, expanding their offerings to include men’s and women’s clothing, footwear, cosmetics and toiletries, sporting goods, furniture, and a soda fountain counter. The two-story cast iron framed building has since become a local landmark.
In 1925, the old General Store building was razed to make way for the Coffin Building, which currently stands at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets. It houses the corporate offices of several of the Coffin family's business interests, as well as a branch of the Merchants Savings and Loan on the first floor.
John Demeritt V was killed in an automobile crash on the Kancamagus Highway in October, 1937, and Rodney made a settlement with his family that left Rodney with full ownership of the company. Upon Rodney Demeritt’s retirement in 1958, his son, Rodney Demeritt, Jr. took over management of the department store, becoming the third generation to operate the business. It is expected that his son, Oswald, currently pursuing his MBA at Litchmoor University, will one day carry the tradition forward for a fourth generation as well.
History
Demeritt’s traces its history to 1900, when retired Army Major John Demeritt IV, recently returned from the Spanish War, purchased the old Madbury General Store from Benjamin Ball, and formed the Demeritt Dry Goods Company. Located at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets facing the Common, it was one of two such establishments in the town at the time, the other being Hale and Sons on Dover Road.With the conclusion of the First World War in 1918, and the return from France of his two sons, John V and Rodney, John Demeritt was able to retire from the business, and the second generation took over the store. The following year, a fire broke out overnight at the Hales’ Dover Road property and, despite the valiant efforts of the fledgeling Madbury Volunteer Fire Company, the place burned to the ground, leaving Demeritt’s as the only dry goods store in town.
In 1921, the Demeritt brothers opened Demeritt’s Department Store at its current location on the corner of Main and Depot Streets, expanding their offerings to include men’s and women’s clothing, footwear, cosmetics and toiletries, sporting goods, furniture, and a soda fountain counter. The two-story cast iron framed building has since become a local landmark.
In 1925, the old General Store building was razed to make way for the Coffin Building, which currently stands at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets. It houses the corporate offices of several of the Coffin family's business interests, as well as a branch of the Merchants Savings and Loan on the first floor.
John Demeritt V was killed in an automobile crash on the Kancamagus Highway in October, 1937, and Rodney made a settlement with his family that left Rodney with full ownership of the company. Upon Rodney Demeritt’s retirement in 1958, his son, Rodney Demeritt, Jr. took over management of the department store, becoming the third generation to operate the business. It is expected that his son, Oswald, currently pursuing his MBA at Litchmoor University, will one day carry the tradition forward for a fourth generation as well.
Products
Demeritt's offers a full line of quality products designed to fill all household needs. They carry brand-name men's, women's and children's clothing, outerwear, and footwear. Other items include jewelry, toiletries, perfumes and personal hygene products, as well as linens, housewares and furniture. The store also offers a special order service for any product not currently carried in stock.Demeritt Dry Goods Company
DEPARTMENT STORE
Demeritt's Department Store
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location
630 Main Street
Madbury, N.H.
Built
1920-21
Architect
Webster & Burnham
Portsmouth, N.H.
Founded
1900
Founder
Maj. John Demeritt
Demeritt’s Department Store
630 Main Street (Corner of Depot)
Madbury, N.H. 03823
(603) 742-5000
(connecting to all departments)
630 Main Street (Corner of Depot)
Madbury, N.H. 03823
(603) 742-5000
(connecting to all departments)
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