1932  Arthur Taubman purchases Advance Stores Company, a chain of two stores in Roanoke and one in Lynchburg. He promptly closes the second store in Roanoke, which was located only three blocks from the first. 1935  The Social Security Act passes. 1938  Advance Stores Company expands into Winston-Salem, North Carolina, signaling the beginning of the company’s multi-state growth. 1938  Advance begins carrying toys for the holiday season, often offering a town’s largest selection. 1941  World War II begins. Like other retailers, Advance Stores has to reinvent itself in order to stay afloat. 1948  Cordovan Associates, a consortium of independent retailers in the automotive aftermarket, is co-founded by Arthur Taubman. 1956  Nick Taubman comes to work full-time as assistant buyer for tires. 1957  Nick Taubman enlists in the army for a year of service. He returned for a second year from 1960-61.