Since 1906 Bowers Brothers Company Department Store of Washington provided the public with an up-to-date, modern store, offering many nationally-advertised lines of merchandise. A total of 16 people were employed at Bowers Brothers. The late A. L. Bowers was the senior member and an original founder. B. F. Bowers was president, A. L. Bowers, secretary and treasurer; C. T. Bowers was vice-president. This store handled the better grades of merchandise, and was truly "One of Easter Carolina's Great Department Stores.