Atlantic Neon Sign Service

Throughout the mid-1900s, Leon (1911-1997) & Ethel Miller Lipman (c.1913-1985) managed at least eight businesses in Charleston. Leon was the oldest of five children born in Charleston to Polish immigrant Hyman (1881-1951) and his first wife, Rachel Finkelstein Lipman (b. 1894). Leon grew up working as a clerk in his father’s grocery store and married Ethel sometime before 1938. After working for his father for several years, Leon opened his own grocery store at 16 America Street around 1935. Over the course of the next seven years, he also managed Cut Rate Service, Bargain Corner Market, and N.B. Grocery.

By 1942, the Charleston city directory lists Leon as the proprietor of Atlantic Neon Sign Service, which he initially operated on Amherst and America Streets with his brother-in-law Arthur Seigel (1916-2009). Leon served as the president and treasurer of the company, while Arthur was listed as the vice-president and secretary. Later moving to 153 King Street, Leon and Arthur bought, sold, and repaired neon signs before closing in the mid-1940s. Arthur went on to work as the proprietor of a hardware store while Leon continued managing various grocery shops and Leon’s 5 Cents, 10 Cents & 1 Dollar Store.