B. Sugenheimer

Born in Bavaria, Germany, Bernhardt Sugenheimer (c.1837-1904) established himself in the South Carolina mercantile industry by the mid-1870s. Between 1876 and 1877, he placed a series of advertisements in The Fairfield News and Herald for food staples sold at his store, B. Sugenheimer & Co. Then, around 1879, he partnered with fellow Bavarian native Joseph Groeschel (1848-1904) to establish Sugenheimer & Groeschel at two locations: the Gerig Building at 122 South Congress Street and another store previously occupied by a Mr. Sol Wolfe. At both sites, Bernhardt and Joseph sold clothing and other dry goods until they dissolved their partnership in the spring of 1881. Following the dissolution, Bernhardt maintained a portion of the Gerig Building and operated a clothing store under the name B. Sugenheimer until at least 1886. During this time, he also sold liquor and cigars and operated a bar on Main Street. By 1900, he was listed in the US Census as a shoe dealer in the Bronx.