S. Lewenthal

Samuel Lewenthal was likely born in modern-day Poland around 1858. He moved to Darlington in 1879 and clerked for his brother Isaac (1854-1928) at S. Marco & Lewenthal before opening his own business on the Public Square in 1886. There, Samuel sold groceries, liquor, and cigars and employed his own clerk, M. S. Jordan. In one advertisement from 1887, Samuel noted that he carried “a full line of fancy and staples groceries” as well as “the best articles of wine and cider,” including North Carolina Corn Whiskey, Silver Stream, Latonia Jockey Club, and Gibson’s Rye Whiskey. He also reportedly sold popular cigar brands like Sweet Violet. In 1890, Samuel established Lewenthal & Hennig with Henry Hennig (1858-1922) on the corner of Pearl Street and the Public Square. After Samuel and Henry dissolved their partnership the following year, Samuel continued operating on the corner for a time.