According to the U.S. Bureau of Employment Statistics, about half of businesses close within their first five years, and only a fifth will last 20 years. But a small handful of companies have kept the lights on for centuries — and might keeping going for centuries more.
* Brooks Brothers. America's oldest clothing retailer, originally known as D.H. Brooks & Co., opened its doors on April 7, 1818 in New York, and introduced the first off-the-rack suits in 1849.
* Baker's Chocolate. Founded in 1765 by James Baker and John Hannon, Baker's Chocolate recorded its first chocolate sale in 1772 and introduced its famous branded chocolate in 1780. Today, Kraft Heinz owns Baker's, which remains a baking aisle staple.
* Hudson's Bay Company. Established via English royal charter in 1670, the Hudson's Bay Company was originally granted control of all trade in a large chunk of what is now Canada. Today, Hudson's Bay owns a namesake chain of Canadian department stores, along with luxury store chains like Saks and Bergdorf Goodman.
* Lodenwalker Ramsau. Historical records show that this textile and garment business has been operating in the town of Ramsau am Dachstein, part of modern Austria, since at least 1434. The company specializes in traditional Austrian loden wool, and claims to run the world's oldest loden mill.
* Drohobych Saltworks. Founded in 1250 in what is now Ukraine, the Drohobych Salt Plant is the country's oldest operating business, and is now owned and operated by the state as a profitable business and cultural heritage site.
* Kongo Gumi. The Kongo family established the Osaka-based construction company Kongo Gumi in 578 A.D. and operated it for more than 1,400 years before the Takamatsu Construction Group acquired it in 2006. Despite the change in ownership, descendants are still involved in the company's day-to-day operations.
