Gwin plans to expand into other communities now inadequately served by existing retail establishments. This expansion will be into areas where competition with large chain store operations such as Belk's, Sears, and J. C. Penney's will not exist. It is anticipated that in ten years, Bedsole-Gwin Clothing Stores, Inc. will have branch stores in at least 15 Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi communities. It is the ultimate goal of the corporation to have 25 to 50 stores in operation. There are no sprinkler or burglar alarm systems in any of the stores, although they all conform to state and local requirements for fire extinguisher placement, storage of combustible materials, fire exits, and smoking restrictions.
All buildings are centrally air-conditioned and heated.
The air-conditioning units utilize a cooling tower mounted on the roof of the building, and the units themselves are enclosed and separated from merchandise and any combustible materials. Each unit has a fire extinguisher mounted adjacent to it. Stockrooms are well ventilated, with merchandise arranged away from possible fire hazards, such as heat or electrical wiring. All display windows are tempered plate glass and are well lighted all night and on weekends. In Fairhope, Alabama, the building is freestanding, except for a small jewelry store on one side.