A. M. Solomon & Sons Furniture

In the 1890s, Abraham Moses Solomon (1858-1923) immigrated from Poland with his wife, Cilia Altman Solomon (1850-1934). They were eventually joined by their four sons: Benjamin (1879-1947), Walter or “Wolf” (c. 1884-1958), Charles or “Charlie” (b. 1888/89), and Israel (b. 1891).¹ In 1899 or 1900, Abraham opened A. M. Solomon & Sons Furniture with Charlie and Israel on the corner of King and Woolfe streets. Around 1902, the Solomons moved their business to 416 King Street, and five years later, Walter immigrated to Charleston and joined the family business.

In 1937, approximately twelve years after Abraham’s death, his sons dissolved the partnership, potentially over a disagreement regarding Saturday hours. Ultimately, Walter continued operating A. M. Solomon & Sons Furniture at 416 King Street, while Charlie and Israel opened their own store at 474 King Street. After Walter’s death, his sons Irving or “Irvie” (1922-2002) and Melvin or “Bones” (1925-2014), took over the store. In August 1984, they announced the sale of their building and the closure of the family business.

¹ Abraham’s descendants have reason to believe he immigrated in 1886, his 1920 census records suggest he immigrated in 1891, and his naturalization papers state that he arrived in 1904. Given that all of his children were born in Poland and that he opened a store in Charleston in 1900, he likely arrived between 1891 and 1900.