County Seat was an American clothing retailer founded in 1973. With more than 740 stores at its peak, the chain closed in 1999 following Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
History
Jack J. Crocker, then the CEO of SuperValu supermarkets, founded the chain in 1973 in Dallas.[1] Appropriate for the pun in its name, County Seat specialized in blue jeans and other casual wear. In 1977, the chain grew to 183 stores, and also began to sell sports clothing.[2]
In 1983, it was sold to the Carson Pirie Scott department store chain of Chicago, who bought County Seat for $71 million (~$ in ).[3] In 1985, Carson Pirie Scott acquired the 19-store Pants Corral company from Giant Food of Landover, Maryland, and converted them to County Seat.[4]