Variety Liquor Store

Meyer Horovin (1890-1981) was born in Polotsk, Russia (present-day Polotsk, Belarus). In 1906, he immigrated to the United States. Around 1920, Horovin married Bee Monoson (1892-1996), who emigrated from Russia in 1904. By 1927, the Horovins were living in Sumter, South Carolina, where Meyer worked as the manager of a dry goods store. In January 1938, Meyer opened two liquor stores in Manning, and, two months later, he opened a liquor store in Holly Hill. In 1940, Meyer opened Variety Liquor Store at 3 West Liberty Street in Sumter. In 1948, Meyer was sentenced to pay a $500 fine and serve six months in prison for federal income tax evasion. By this point, Meyer had also opened a liquor store in Marion. From then on, Bee became more involved in the business, serving as president of the newly formed Variety Liquor Store, Inc. In 1953, Variety Liquor store relocated a few doors down to 9 West Liberty Street. Variety Liquor Store remained in operation until 1965.