The Charles Pick Company of Chicago was started in 1857, originating the mail order business in their line. In 1893 the name changed to Pick, Block & Joel, the partnership that Albert Pick, Sr. (nephew of Charles Pick) acquired in about 1896, the name of the firm was then changed to Albert Pick & Company. Among their customers were hotels, cafes, restaurants, saloons, clubs, dining car systems, soda fountain parlors, billiard halls, hospitals and public institutions. Departments included: Bar Glassware; Bar Utensils; Bottles, Corks, Caps and Liquor Dealers' Supplies; Coin Operating Machines; Billiard, Bowling and Beer Pump Supplies; Sporting Goods; Hotel and Restaurant China, Glassware and Silverware Cutlery; Coffee-Urns; Specialties in Furniture; Kitchen Utensils; Fountain Accessories; and Lighting Systems. By 1906 it had grown to be the largest hotel, restaurant and saloon supply house in the world. In 1913 it advertised itself as "The World's Greatest Market Place." In 1914 the Volsted Prohibition Act made many of the supplies obsolete in spite of a serious attempt to create new uses for them.