Walmart’s founder built the best variety store in six states, then lost it.
In 1950 his landlord refused to renew the lease and handed the thriving Newport shop to his own son. Walton had forgotten to write in a renewal option, so he took a $50,000 buyout and started over in tiny Bentonville. The humiliation made him obsessive about owning his real estate, and 12 years later he opened the first Walmart.
Walmart on Brandseum