Claude, Edward, Norris, Orville, Parcie, Ronnie, Winston, and Essie Mae Outten, children of Chester and Myrtle Outten, grew up on a farm near Pocomoke City, Maryland. In September 1947, brothers Claude, age 25, and Norris, age 22, went into business in the Dover, Delaware area selling small household items door-to-door. They sold most goods on installment payment plans, visiting the customer each week to collect. They relied on Claude's car and Norris's sedan delivery, and they used Claude's living room as a warehouse. They called themselves Outten Brothers. As they made a profit, they put it back into the business to make it grow.

In 1952, Claude opened the first Outten Brothers furniture and appliance store in Dover, Delaware. Later that same year, Norris opened a second store in Pocomoke City, Maryland. In 1957, brother Ronnie joined Claude in the Dover store. In 1958 brothers Edward and Orville opened a third store in Salisbury, Maryland. In 1992, the Pocomoke store opened a branch store in Accomac, Virginia.

The five brothers worked hard and made the business grow, with the help of dedicated employees. From small household items, the business expanded to encompass a broad range of furniture, appliances and carpeting. By the 1960's, Outten Brothers was the largest furniture, appliance, and carpeting chain on the Delmarva peninsula.

Norris Outten died in 1995. Claude died in 2002, Edward, Orville and Ronnie are retired.

The Dover store is owned and managed by Claude's family. The Salisbury store is owned and managed by Edward's family. The Pocomoke City store is owned and managed by Norris's family.

A third generation is now involved in operating the stores.

Each store continues to provide quality household merchandise to the folks of Delmarva at reasonable prices and continues to offer financing to meet customers' individual needs. Outten Brothers of Pocomoke still delivers merchandise directly to the homes of their customers for free, as they have done for over fifty years.