Joseph Doobrow (1873-1945) and his wife, Mary Goldberg (1877-1955), immigrated from Russia to Charleston with their two children, Ida (1900-1992) and Irving “Isadore” (1903-1992) in 1904. They opened a retail clothing store at 481 King Street, which subsequently moved to 611 King Street in 1907. The family lived on the second floor at both locations. The Doobrows had five additional children: Louie Doobrow (1905-1980), Alexander Doobrow (1909-1948), Bella Doobrow (1911-1992), Basha Doobrow (1915-2003), and Mordecai Doobrow (1917-1988), all born in Charleston. In 1912, Ida joined the store as a clerk. Joseph and Mary Doobrow moved to 36 Inspection Street by 1916 where they opened Doobrow Grocery.