L.N. Gross Company (Cleveland, Ohio)

The L.N. Gross Company was a manufacturer and distributor of women's apparel founded in 1898 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a Russian immigrant, Louis N. Gross. Gross was president and manager until his death in 1941, when his sons, Nedward N., William V., and Julius S. Gross, and his son-in-law, Miltor E. Reed, became active in the management of the company. By the 1960s, the third generation of the Gross family managed the company. In 1919, the company built its headquarters at 1220 West Third Street in Cleveland. In 1929, additional production sites were acquired in Kent, Ohio, and in 1937 facilities opened in Fayetteville, Tennessee. The Welworth Realty Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the L.N. Gross Company, operated as title and leaseholder of the parent company's properties. An office was also maintained in the New York City garment district. Beginning in 1950, product manufacturing was performed by subcontractors in their own facilities. A wholly owned subsidiary, Bradley Knitwear Company, acted as sales outlet for the parent company. In 1974, company headquarters moved to Mayfield Village, Ohio. In 1984, after several years of financial difficulties, control of the company was turned over to an outside investment group, and the name was changed to Bradley Sportswear, Inc.

The L.N. Gross Company was a manufacturer and distributor of women's apparel founded in 1898 in Cleveland, Ohio, by a Russian immigrant, Louis N. Gross. Gross was president and manager until his death in 1941, when his sons, Nedward N., William V., and Julius S. Gross, and his son-in-law, Miltor E. Reed, became active in the management of the company. By the 1960s, the third generation of the Gross family managed the company. In 1919, the company built its headquarters at 1220 West Third Street in Cleveland. In 1929, additional production sites were acquired in Kent, Ohio, and in 1937 facilities opened in Fayetteville, Tennessee. During the Depression the company was troubled by strikes as well as the general business slump. The Welworth Realty Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the L.N. Gross Company, operated as title and leaseholder of the parent company's properties. An office was also maintained in the New York City garment district. Beginning in 1950, product manufacturing was performed by subcontractors in their own facilities. A wholly owned subsidiary, Bradley Knitwear Company, acted as sales outlet for the parent company. In 1974, company headquarters moved to Mayfield Village, Ohio. In 1984, after several years of financial difficulties, control of the company was turned over to an outside investment group, and the name was changed to Bradley Sportswear, Inc.