After five years, a new small business has a 50 percent chance to survive, according to the Small Business Administration. Roughly 30 percent of all businesses will survive 10 years or more.
But how many can survive 50, 100, 150 or even 200 years? There’s no data on that, but we’re guessing it’s a very, very low number. Yet these businesses have thrived for generations. We’re taking a look at the longest-running, continually operating businesses in major U.S. cities. From restaurants to law firms, banks to moving companies, these long-standing businesses have beat the test of time.
To make this list of America’s oldest businesses, the business had to be continually operating within the city. Closures due to unpreventable things like natural disasters or shuttering to move or renovate are fine. Take a look — maybe you’ll find an historic business near you that you never even knew about.
Cities are listed in order from largest to smallest by population.