Grayson County TXGenWeb

Timeline of 312 W. Main Street
Denison, Texas

The two buildings in 2015, purchased by Mr. & Mrs. Solomon

September 28, 1990

LAST DAD'S & LAD'S TO CLOSE
When the final Dad's & Lad's store locks its doors in Dallas at the end of this year, it will mark the end of a family business that was launched in Denison in 1925 by C.J. McManus, Sr.
McManus announced this week that his last Dad's & Lad's Store, run by his sons, Paul and C.J., Jr. and Robert D. Wilson would close when its lease expires December 31.
"My two sons own this store and they want to pursue other interests." the elder McManus said.
McManus recalled how he and his brother-in-law, J.C. Reece, moved to Denison at the height of great depression and opened a pawn shop. McManus had been working in Dallas for $18 a week, but with his wife pregnant, he asked for a raise and didn't get it, so he came to Denison.
In 1925 he opened a men's clothing store called McManus and Reece. After he bought out Reece, he changed the name to Dad's & Lad's and the business flourished, quickly getting to the $1 million level in annual sales. He started franchising his stores. Today only two stores remain, and they are no longer a part of the McManus organization.
In the past decade, McManus has cut back his active management of the clothing business and has concentrated his efforts on boosting Denison. He has purchased many old downtown buildings and remodeled them. He was one of the major promoters in the restoration of the old Katy Depot.
McManus admitted he had to shed a few tears when his two sons told him they no longer wanted to continue in the clothing business. They cited the major department stores that have moved in and dominated the men's clothing market as reason enough to pursue other interests.
McManus continues to maintain a home in Denison where he is never at a loss for something to do. The Denison Chamber of Commerce honored him with a "McManus Day" for all of his restoration work on buildings he purchased in the downtown area in Denison.
McManus has "retired" twice, but still works as long a day as he ever did. He had remained as president of the Dad's & Lad's Inc. and it was the vehicle that he used to purchase and remodel many old buildings in Denison.

The Denison Press
December 23, 1949
Owners : Jim & Lois Manning

Dad & Lad's Store
1939

The Sunday Gazetteer
October 23, 1910

The Sunday Gazetteer
January 10, 1909
W.A. Peck, Jewelry

The Sunday Gazetteer
August 20, 1905