About Us

Porter’s began as a retail entity around 1912 in Rexburg, Idaho. The original store was a sideline to Arthur Porter’s newspaper and printing business. The young immigrant came to Rexburg in his mid-twenties as a teacher at Ricks Academy (predecessor to Brigham Young University – Idaho). He had purchased a newspaper, the Rexburg Journal, together with two partners in 1907. He later bought out his partners and phased out of teaching and into full time business.

Arthur operated three businesses in one storefront, with a retail store in the front and the printing and newspaper in the back. After World War II, Arthur’s youngest son, Warren, bought the store. Warren then rented the adjacent storefront and put in a Ben Franklin variety store franchise. With the two merchandise themes, Warren operated through the 80′s. In that time, he expanded the store several times and added additional merchandise categories.

All of Warren ‘s family has been active in the development of Porter’s over the years. Today, son Chuck and his wife Linda own and operate the store in Rexburg, plus another store in Idaho Falls. Their son, Mark, has spun off a commercial office furniture and supply business which is also headquartered in Rexburg.

Our retail theme has evolved into crafts, fabric, framing, and creative merchandise. The original store in Rexburg also has gift and novelty merchandise. As our society and its buying habits have become more sophisticated over the last nine decades, so has Porter’s. Changes in the next few years promise to be even more dramatic and exciting. We will pursue our business strategy with single mindedness, yet we will be observant enough to change that strategy to accommodate changing markets and surroundings.