Ashby Sewing Machine

About

In 1909 at the age of 25, he became a door-to door salesman for SINGER COMPANY *. After learning the ways of the sewing machines industry, he decided to open his own business in 1943. He picked the name ASHBY DISCOUNT SEWING MACHINE CO, being at that time, the name ASHBY, would be the first name in the phone book listing. This was way before the Yellow Page's * were out and before all those A1 and AAA business were thought of. When business started growing he added his 1st employee, his wife, to help him out. William Pap Briley used to take used sewing machine, by the way of street car, through Atlanta to people homes. During this time, only used sewing machines were available as all metals were used in manufacturing airplanes and ammunition, along with other products for the war. William sold these machines on credit to the customer, and he held their personal note. Financing was hard to come by, because most men was in WWII and wife's were not responsible for personal finances. In 1944, another employee was added, Roscoe Briley, son of W.H. Briley, began helping his parents in the store. Shortly after WWII, Maurice F. Briley, began to work for his parents as jobs were scarce after the war. Roscoe Briley, and Brother of Maurice Briley, saw an opportunity to open his own store in Birmingham, Alabama. Roscoe ended up owning 3 store's in Alabama and 1 store in Memphis, Tennessee. After realizing there was more money to be made in the stock market and real estate, he sold all 4

Service area

Serves the business city