James S. Simmons and George W. Spencer were grocers located at 16-18 Broad Street in Providence in 1852. In 1856 they became wholesale grocers and moved to 14 Broad Street. A year later they moved to 17 West Water Street at which time they began putting out their own Simmons & Spencer Pure Schnapps for family and medicinal use. It was sold locally by Ossian Sumner, a physician and druggist located at 196 Broad Street, and by many other druggists nationwide.

In 1862 Simmons and Spencer went their separate ways remaining wholesale grocers. Simmons joined William H. Emerson in 1869 and the company became Emerson & Co. Druggists at 12 Weybosset Street in Providence. Spencer quit his business in 1870.