Marietta Paint & Glass Company

Marietta Paint & Glass Company was established in 1951 by Mississippi native, Marvin M. Brownstein (1924-2005), and New Yorker, Edward Hirst (1903-1973). Marvin moved to Columbia, South Carolina to oversee the military police as Provost Marshal at Fort Jackson during World War II. While in Columbia, Marvin met Betty Jean Rosen (1924-2003), and the two were married in 1946. Four years later, Marvin and Edward opened Marietta Paint & Glass Company at 1730 Main Street, where Edward previously operated Marietta Paint & Color Company. At Marietta’s, Marvin and Edward sold wallpaper, paint, building materials, hardware, and glass. Edward left the partnership in 1952, and Marvin moved his business one block east to 1820 Sumter Street the following year. Around this time, Betty became increasingly involved in Marietta Paint & Glass Company and was listed as the company’s vice-president and secretary by 1957. That same year, the Brownsteins moved their business to 2022 Marion Street where they became increasingly known for their car window installation services. Marvin and Betty closed Marietta’s in 1960, and Marvin went on to establish a financing firm called Brownstein Associates.