Columbia Tailors

In 1951, Louis Berry (1894-1973) and Alfred M. Simons (1893-1958) opened Columbia Tailors at 1128 Lady Street in Columbia, SC. Born in New York to Russian immigrants, Simons worked as a clothing salesman in the North before moving to Columbia by 1950 with his wife, Augusta (1893-1970), and son, Burton (1931-1997). Before he co-opened Columbia Tailors, Simons worked as a salesman for the United Luggage Shop at 1339 Main Street. Born in Russia, Louis immigrated to the United States in 1911 and worked as a tailor for the Hope-Davis Co. before co-founding Columbia Tailors. Columbia Tailors specialized in “made-to-order suits for both ladies and gentlemen,” alterations, and military clothing and supplies, with Berry handling the suits and alterations department and Simons handling the military clothing and supplies department.¹ Berry continued the business after Simons’s death in 1958, eventually relocating it to 1230 Washington Street in 1968. Columbia Tailors closed upon Berry’s retirement in 1971.

¹ “Berry and Simons Open Columbia Tailors Shop,” The State, October 5, 1951.