Middleton’s co-founder Matilda Middleton joined the ranks of America’s 101,000 centenarians on Sept. 13. (Photo: Lance Armstrong/Calaveras Enterprise)
Matriarch Mat Middleton celebrates her 100th birthday
By Alan Wolf, YSN
Many BrandSource members may have commemorated their 100th year in business, but few have yet to reach their 100th year of life.
That very special gift was celebrated this month by Matilda “Mat” Middleton, who marked her birthday centennial on Sept. 13.
Born in 1924 to Sicilian immigrants, Mat would go on to co-found Middleton’s in Calaveras County, Calif., with her husband Henry “Hank” Middleton in 1955. Their business began as Middleton’s Calaveras Mercantile, a former 1,500-square-foot general merchandise store, where the couple sold furniture, feed, fabric and appliances.
Growth Pangs
By 1960 the company had outgrown its storefront, prompting Mat and Hank to purchase acreage in what is now Angel’s Camp, Calif. There they developed the county’s first shopping center, christened Middleton’s Mark Twain. It featured a bank, a supermarket and an expanded 27,000-square-foot Middleton’s, which replaced the fabric and feed with appliances, hardware and a gift shop.
Today, Middleton’s carries a wide assortment of appliances, furniture, mattresses and consumer tech, and is led by Mat and Hank’s youngest son Bob. Leveraging his business degree and sensitive to the needs of the community, Bob expanded the operation after taking the reins 47 years ago, and enjoyed an added boost in 1981 by joining AVB BrandSource, which provided a raft of brand-name home goods at competitive prices.
According to its website, the company also attributes its success to its experienced employees, many of whom have been with Middleton’s for more than 35 years; to the kind of expert customer experience and service that an independent dealer can offer; and to its community involvement, including support for schools, service clubs, sports teams, scholarship funds and the local business association.
Groundwork
But Bob is quick to credit his parents for laying the foundation, and making his workload easier for all the sweat equity they put in. “[They] worked their rear ends off,” he told the local Calaveras Enterprise. “There is no ifs, ands or buts about it.”
For Mat, hard work came with the territory. “When you have a retail business, you don’t have a life [beyond that business],” she told the publication. She added that she is “very proud that Bob is doing such a good job with it,” and is pleased that there are multiple generations of Middleton’s waiting in the wings.
Indeed, Mat, the last of four siblings, has 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, the newspaper reported, who will ensure the family, and family business, legacy.
Hank passed in 2012 at the age of 92, and today Mat spends her days in leisurely pursuits with her treasured companion pup Mia. Birthday plans for the centenarian included a special family lunch gathering and a celebration cake that was shared with both family and friends.
YSN wishes Matilda Middleton a very happy belated birthday and continued success for the business she helped build.
YSN publisher AVB BrandSource is the nation’s largest merchandising and marketing co-op for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
