J.W. Mays

J.W. May's The store was started in the 1920's by Joe Weinstein, a Russian Jewish immigrant. It catered to the lower income customer and those looking for bargains. At its height, there were8 locations in downstate New York. There were location in: Jamaica,NY, Glen Oaks,NY, Brooklyn,NY, Fishkill,NY, Manhattan,NY, Levittown,NY, Woodmere,NY. It at that time had about 5,000 employees. By the late 1970's it started losing market share to the disccounter stores. In 1982, the store declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In 1987 there were 4 stores left when the Glen Oaks location was closed. In 1988 rather than close the other locations onee by one it was decided to closee the store down and declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Now J.W. Mays is a landlord with vaied properties some of which are in former store and the surronding areas.