Penzeys Spices is a retailer[1] of spices in the United States. It operates retail outlets as well as mail order and online shopping.[2] The company is headquartered in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and had 600,000 catalog customers in 2007.[3] Revenues are not disclosed.[4]
History
In 1957, William Penzey Sr. and Ruth Ann Penzey opened a coffee and spice business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which came to be called The Spice House.[5] Their son, William Penzey Jr., began working in the business as a youth. Over time The Spice House focused on selling spices.[6]
In 1986, at the age of 22, William Jr. launched a catalog business of his own.[7] The business grew steadily, and in 1994 Penzeys opened its first retail store. By 2013, 69 Penzeys stores were open throughout North America.[8]
After the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, founder Bill Penzey Jr. criticized Donald Trump and his supporters in an email to his customers.[9] The store reported an increase in sales after the letter went out.[10] In October 2019, the company spent over $100,000 in social media advertising calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump.[11] Penzey's activism resulted in a Facebook boycott called "Goodbye, Penzeys" with over 1,000 members.
Retail contraction
In 2012, Penzeys had 67 retail locations in 29 states.[12] By June of 2021, the number of locations had contracted to 53.[13]
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