Krasnoff’s Kiddy Shop

In 1924, Sumter merchant Solomon L. Krasnoff (1874-1936) opened children’s store Krasnoff’s Kiddy Shop at 3 South Main Street in downtown Sumter. To manage the store, Krasnoff hired gentile Ella Pauline Wilson (1884-1970) of Columbia. An “expert in her line,” Ella “conducted juvenile stores in some of the largest cities” and was “induced by Mr. Krasnoff to come to Sumter after long negotiations.”¹ Stocked with clothing, accessories, furniture, and toys purchased by Ella in New York, Krasnoff’s Kiddy Shop was promoted as “the only real exclusive children’s store in the state.”² Krasnoff’s Kiddy Shop closed in 1926.

¹ “Juvenile Department at Krasnoff’s Store,” The Item, February 11, 1924.

² Krasnoff’s Kiddy Shop advertisement, The Watchman and Southron, January 14, 1925.