Bluestein Brothers
Merchant
1949-c.1974
Park Street & Lady Street
Columbia, SC
FAMILIES: Bluestein
Bluestein Brothers was a dry goods store established by Meyer (1908-1986) and Leon Bluestein (1914-2000). Meyer and Leon were born to Russian immigrants Hyman (1873-1960) and Marsha Kopp Bluestein (1884-1927) and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. Before opening Bluestein Brothers, Leon managed a men’s clothing store in Charleston and Meyer launched True Blue Hosiery at 1318 Park Street in Columbia—formerly the House of Peace Synagogue and Big Apple Night Club. In 1949, the brothers decided to build on their individual business experiences by opening Bluestein Brothers together at 1318 Park Street, Meyer’s former store location. There, Leon and Meyer’s stock ranged from undergarments, dress pants, and household linens to lifejackets, hunting attire, skiing accessories, and air mattresses. In 1954, Leon and Meyer moved their growing business to 918 Lady Street, a newly renovated structure with three times more space than their previous store on Park Street. Despite their success, the brothers announced the dissolution of their partnership in July 1957. Leon went on to open Leon Bluestein Wholesale Dry Goods Company while Meyer continued to manage Bluestein Brothers. In 1974, Meyer began publicly looking for a new business associate and ultimately closed the store shortly thereafter.
Main Image: Photo of 1318 Park Street while it was the House of Peace Synagogue, 1928. It later became the Big Apple Night Club, True Blue Hosiery, and Bluestein Brothers. Image courtesy of Russell Maxey Photograph Collection, Richland Library, Columbia, SC.
Above Image: Image of Bluestein Brothers new location at 918 Lady Street. Reprinted from The State, September 20, 1954.
Above Image: Advertisement for Bluestein Brothers. Reprinted from The State, May 4, 1961.
Above Image: Advertisement for a new business associate at Bluestein Brothers. Reprinted from The State, April 21, 1974.