Sharpe Dry Goods (now Sharpe’s Department Store) was founded in 1913 in Checotah, Oklahoma by Louis Kerre Sharpe, Jr., affectionately known as “Bummy.” Bummy began the first store as a joint partnership in Checotah with Walter Brumley. In 1918, upon returning from World War I, Bummy bought out his partner Mr. Brumley to gain sole ownership of the business. In those days, quality was a must. Bummy
made a point of selling the highest quality clothing at the best possible prices in his store which he dubbed “The House of Better Values.”
From its humble beginnings, Sharpe Dry Goods has grown to its present total of twenty-six stores now known commonly as Sharpe’s Department Stores or just Sharpe’s. Sharpe’s has withstood the test of time to become one of the oldest family-owned corporations chartered in the state of Oklahoma now with the fourth generation of the family working in the business. Today, Sharpe’s has outlets in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Times have certainly changed since Sharpe’s first opened its doors, but our promise of low prices on quality goods has not. The values remain. Stop by our store in Ardmore, OK to see for yourself.
