Businessman. Founded L.S. Ayres. Lyman Ayres was born on a farm and left home as a teenager to work as a peddler. He spent a few years in Ohio, and established a general store there. He sold his interest in the store in 1864 and moved to Geneva, New York, where he co-managed a dry goods business. In 1872 he sold his interest in the firm and purchased controlling interest in the Trade Palace, an established dry goods store, and was the store's senior partner and its resident buyer. He took over management of the store in 1874, when the store's name first appeared as L. S. Ayres and Company. In 1875, the Ayres department store was moved across the street to a larger three-story building. The addition of modern shopping conveniences such as gas lighting in 1876 and an elevator in 1890 increased the store's reputation. He became the sole proprietor of L. S. Ayres and Company in 1895, when his partner retired from the business. Under his management from 1874 to 1896, the staff increased to 175 employees. He began to acquire property where he intended to build a new store, but died before he could start construction. His son Frederic M. Ayres took over the business following his father's death and completed construction of an eight-story building that opened in 1905. The value of his estate at the time of his death was estimated at about $600,000.
Businessman. Founded L.S. Ayres. Lyman Ayres was born on a farm and left home as a teenager to work as a peddler. He spent a few years in Ohio, and established a general store there. He sold his interest in the store in 1864 and moved to Geneva, New York, where he co-managed a dry goods business. In 1872 he sold his interest in the firm and purchased controlling interest in the Trade Palace, an established dry goods store, and was the store's senior partner and its resident buyer. He took over management of the store in 1874, when the store's name first appeared as L. S. Ayres and Company. In 1875, the Ayres department store was moved across the street to a larger three-story building. The addition of modern shopping conveniences such as gas lighting in 1876 and an elevator in 1890 increased the store's reputation. He became the sole proprietor of L. S. Ayres and Company in 1895, when his partner retired from the business. Under his management from 1874 to 1896, the staff increased to 175 employees. He began to acquire property where he intended to build a new store, but died before he could start construction. His son Frederic M. Ayres took over the business following his father's death and completed construction of an eight-story building that opened in 1905. The value of his estate at the time of his death was estimated at about $600,000.
Bio by: Pete Mohney
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