More than a century ago, Joseph Glik, a St. Louis merchant specializing in men’s fur­nish­ings, looked at the burgeoning economy across the Mississippi River and wisely determined that Madison County would be a good investment. He began buying real estate in 1901 and in 1902 opened a store in the village of Madison. Today, his descend­ants operate three stores in Madison County and the business is the oldest privately-owned retail chain in the coun­ty. The Glik Company has over 60 stores in 10 states, an accomplish­ment rooted in Madison County.