L.L.Bean facts for kids
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L.L.Bean's flagship store and Bean Boot in Freeport, Maine
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| Privately held company | |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Founder | Leon Leonwood Bean |
| Headquarters | 15 Casco Street, Freeport, Maine, U.S. 43°50′58″N 70°6′32″W / 43.84944°N 70.10889°W |
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Number of locations
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54 stores |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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Shawn Gorman (Chairman) Steve Smith (President & CEO) |
| Products |
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| Revenue |  US$1.59 billion (2019) |
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Number of employees
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6,438 (2021) |
L.L.Bean is a famous American company. It sells clothes and gear for outdoor fun. Leon Leonwood Bean started it in 1912. The company's main office is still in Freeport, Maine, where it began.
Contents
The Story of L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean was started in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean. He was a hunter and fisherman. The company began in a small room in Freeport, Maine. Its first product was a special waterproof boot. This boot was called the Maine Hunting Shoe, or Bean Boot.
Mr. Bean designed these boots to be waterproof. They had light leather tops and rubber bottoms. He sold them to hunters by mail. He used a list of hunting license holders to send out his first catalogs. He even set up his shop in his brother's basement.
The very first Bean Boot was sewn by Gertrude Goldrup. Her sewing machine is now on display at the main L.L.Bean store. The Bean Boot is still a very popular item today.
When the first boots were sold, many of them had problems. About 90% of the first boots were returned! But Mr. Bean kept his promise to give money back. He fixed the design of the boots. Then he kept selling them, and they became very popular.
The main L.L.Bean store in Freeport, Maine, is huge. It is about 220,000 square feet. This store used to be open 24 hours a day, every day of the year! As of early 2024, L.L.Bean is focusing more on online and phone orders. They are no longer taking mail orders.
Who Leads L.L.Bean?
After Leon L. Bean passed away in 1967, his grandson, Leon Gorman, took over. Leon Gorman led the company until 2001. Then, Christopher McCormick became the CEO. He was the first person outside the Bean family to hold this top job.
In 2013, Shawn Gorman, a great-grandson of the founder, became the company's chairman. When Leon Gorman passed away in 2015, L.L.Bean gave a large donation to a scholarship fund. This helped students go to college.
In 2015, Stephen Smith became the CEO. He was the first CEO hired from outside the company in its long history.
L.L.Bean Leaders Over Time
Chairmen of L.L.Bean
- Leon Gorman (2001–2013)
- Shawn Gorman (since May 2013)
CEOs of L.L.Bean
- Leon L. Bean (1912–1967)
- Leon Gorman (1967–2001)
- Christopher McCormick (2001–2015); first non-family CEO
- Stephen Smith (since November 2015)
What L.L.Bean Sells
L.L.Bean sells many different products. They are well-known for their boots for hiking and different types of weather. They also sell outdoor gear like backpacks and tents.
Today, clothing is a very important part of their business. L.L.Bean gets its products from the US and other countries. In their factory in Brunswick, Maine, over 450 people make products by hand. These include the famous Bean Boots, Boat and Totes bags, and dog beds.
In the early 2000s, L.L.Bean worked with the car company Subaru. They made special L.L.Bean versions of Subaru cars. These cars had many extra features. This partnership ended in 2008.
In 2010, L.L.Bean started a new line called L.L.Bean Signature. This line offers modern versions of their classic products. They have updated styles and fits.
L.L.Bean Stores and Fun Events
L.L.Bean has many stores, including outlet stores. Their main store is in Freeport, Maine. This store first opened in 1917. It was open 24 hours a day for many years.
The flagship store has only closed a few times. It closed to honor the death of U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963. It also closed when founder Leon L. Bean and his grandson Leon Gorman passed away. In 2020, all L.L.Bean stores closed for the first time for more than 24 hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They started to reopen in May 2020.
L.L.Bean also hosts many fun activities in Freeport. They have Outdoor Discovery Schools, Christmas light displays, and summer concerts. Famous music groups have performed at these concerts.
L.L.Bean opened its first outlet store in New Hampshire in 1988. Today, they have many retail stores and factory outlets in the US. They also have stores in Japan.
The L.L.Bean Bootmobile is a giant boot on wheels! It travels around the United States. It acts as a mobile store, especially during college tours.
In 2018, L.L.Bean opened its first store in a big city. This store in Boston is a model for future stores in urban areas. It sells items chosen for city life. In 2019, L.L.Bean announced plans to open stores in the UK.
Returns Policy Changes
For a long time, L.L.Bean had a very generous return policy. Customers could return items at any time, even without a receipt. However, in 2018, the company changed this policy.
Now, customers can return items within one year of buying them. They also need a receipt or other proof of purchase. L.L.Bean said that some people were misusing the old policy. They were returning items bought at yard sales or using the policy to replace old, worn-out items for free.
Growing Around the World
L.L.Bean has expanded to other countries. They first went to Japan in 1976. Their bags became popular in Tokyo. They opened their first store in Japan in 1992. By 2018, they had 28 stores there.
Then, L.L.Bean started selling in Canada. They launched an online store in 2018. Their first Canadian store opened in 2019 in Oakville, Ontario. By the end of 2021, they had at least eight stores in Canada. They plan to open many more.
In 2020 and 2021, L.L.Bean opened more stores in Canadian cities. These include locations in Ottawa, Barrie, Vaughan, Toronto, Halifax, Victoria, Burnaby, and Calgary. In 2022, they opened stores in Kitchener, Kingston, Moncton, Niagara Falls, and Edmonton.
Outdoor Discovery Schools
L.L.Bean offers special education programs called Outdoor Discovery Schools. These programs help customers learn new outdoor skills. They are connected to many L.L.Bean stores.
You can sign up for many outdoor activities. All the equipment and teaching are provided. Some activities include archery, fly casting, and sea kayaking. More advanced classes can be booked ahead of time.
During winter, you can try snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Other stores offer classes in fly casting, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. These schools help people enjoy the outdoors even more.
