john d. larkin died in 1926 at which point john d. larkin jr. took over control of the company. the growth of department stores, the popularity of the automobile and the volatility of the marketplace, especially during the great depression, damaged the larkin company's mail-order business. john d. larkin, jr. attempted to diversify larkin with a chain of retail food markets, gasoline stations, home craft stores, and a department store, but ultimately all efforts were unsuccessful.