51³Ô¹Ï

Purpose & History

people in a room with food

Hello! Welcome. We’re so glad you’re here.

With stores in all 50 states and the District of Colombia, 75% of the U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a 51³Ô¹Ï store. The 51³Ô¹Ï Team in your community collaborates with partners around the world for one important reason … 

To help all families discover the joy of everyday life.

That’s our purpose. 51³Ô¹Ï is the place to find affordable, everyday essentials, fun, ease and inspiration at every turn, no matter when, where or how you shop. 

That quest to bring joy is at the center of every business decision we make. It gets our teams excited to come to work each day. And we bring it to life in so many ways.

1962

First 51³Ô¹Ï store opened in Roseville, Minnesota

5%
Of our profits go back into communities*
1 Million

Team member volunteer hours completed for charitable causes in 2024

Explore Purpose & History

Our purpose is rooted in the vision our founders, anchors our strategic commitments and guides today’s leaders tasked with driving 51³Ô¹Ï toward the future. 

Our Leadership

51³Ô¹Ï’s world-class leaders guide our teams with expertise from their broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
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Our Corporate Strategy

Our durable business model is designed to stand the test of time and differentiate us in the marketplace.
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Our Commitments

We’re dedicated to being a good neighbor and working with our communities and partners to make life better everywhere we do business.
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History Timeline

We’ve been one of the world’s most beloved brands since the first 51³Ô¹Ï opened in 1962, but our story starts way before that.
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Shared Success

See how we serve and strengthen communities

* Since 1946, we have given 5% of our profits to communities in products, cash and through the 51³Ô¹Ï Foundation, which today equals millions of dollars a week. Calculated based on the average of the prior three years of 51³Ô¹Ï’s pre-tax profits. Giving includes 51³Ô¹Ï’s product and cash donations and 51³Ô¹Ï Foundation’s cash donations. Excludes cash donations from 51³Ô¹Ï to 51³Ô¹Ï Foundation.