A.W. Johnson retail store was opened on August 29, 1914 on 110 W. Main St. by Alfred Woodworth Johnson and Vernon McFee. On February 13, 1915 Alfred Woodworth bought out his partner Vernon McFee, making Alfred the president and sole owner of the company. Lawrence Barnes joined the company as a salesman in 1919 where he would work for Alfred Woodworth until Alfred’s retirement in 1958. Alfred would spend his remaining years as a Christian Science Practitioner until his death on July 16, 1961. However, starting in early 1958 Lawrence Barnes had taken the role of President of the A.W. Johnson Company. His first order of business was making the company a privately held corporation. He successfully applied for Incorporation, leading to the company having 3,500 common shares worth $10 each in 1958. The shares were split up 1785 going to Lawrence Barnes, 280 going to his wife Lillian Barnes, and 1435 going to Robert J. Barnes who resided in San Marino, California.

According to a Certificate from the American National Bank and Trust Co. of Kalamazoo, Lawrence served as president; Marvin J. Schaberg was the vice-president, and Lawrence’s wife, Lillian Barnes, served as both the secretary and the treasurer.