Our Story

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The Crain Sales Company

In 1966, the company, then known as Crain Sales Company, built a new sprawling (10,000 square feet) headquarters on Highway 36 in Searcy, which in an expanded form (50,000 square feet) served as the company’s headquarters and main distribution facility until July 1992, when the company moved to a new 72,000 square foot office and warehouse in North Little Rock. In 1977, Larry Sr. and Danny Lesley purchased Kargo, Inc. of Memphis from U-Haul Company. Kargo, Inc. of Memphis expanded, and was merged into The Crain Companies in a new 30,000 square foot facility on Mendenhall Road in Memphis.

Beginning in the early 1980s, the company saw an industry trend and customer need for free-standing auto stores and opened its first KarPro in Searcy (store #2). During the 1980s and up until 2000, the company expanded by acquisition and new locations to more than sixteen locations. In September 2000 a majority of the automotive parts distribution facility was merged into the O’Reilly Auto Parts operation.

3rd generation Crain’s joined the family business after graduation from the University of Arkansas, first Larry Crain, Jr. in 1985 and then Chris Crain in 1994.

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Crain Media

In 2002 Crain had the opportunity to purchase Caldwell Broadcasting of Searcy and renamed the company Crain Media, operating three FM and three AM radio stations. Crain Media added a fourth FM station later in 2002. In 2006 Crain Media purchased three FM stations from Archway broadcasting. In 2013 Crain Media purchased one FM station in Batesville, AR. Currently Crain Media operates 7 FM radio stations throughout Central Arkansas.

Crain Management Group, LLC is led by Larry Crain, Sr.

The company is pleased to have many other long-term and loyal associates and the management means it when they say “America’s Best Associates – The Crain Team’s Got ‘em!”