Cochran Blair & Potts

History

Established in 1869.

Cochran Blair and Potts Department Store in Belton, Texas is an outstanding example of a family business that has thrived for more than 140 years.

Founded in 1869 by Colonel H.M. Cook, a Mississippi veteran of the Civil War, the store originally was called Cook Mercantile Company. First located in Centerville, Texas the store moved to Buffalo, Texas to operate closer to the railroad. In 1884 it moved to its final location in Belton. As various sons and sons-​in-​laws joined and left the business over the years, the name changed five times from 1869 until 1917 when it became Cochran, Blair and Potts Department Store. In 1970 Roy and Jean Potts purchased the entire ownership. Presently owned and operated by the sixth generation of the same family that founded it in 1869. It is now co-​owned and managed by their son, Rob Roy Potts Sr. Recently, Rob’s son Robert Roy Potts Jr. has joined the team to become the seventh generation.