The only son of Beaufort businessman Joseph Mark (1882-1951), Ernest Mark (1917-1987) owned a furniture store in Albany, Georgia before he joined the army in World War II. In 1944, while still in the army, he married Rose Yospe (died 2014) of Baltimore, Maryland. After his discharge in 1945, the couple settled in Beaufort, South Carolina, where they opened Mark Furniture Company at 205 West Street. Rose managed the store and handled sales, while Ernest bought and fixed up damaged furniture. The business prospered, and it quickly expanded from a small salesroom to a three-story sales emporium. In 1972, the Marks’ son, Larry, opened his own furniture store on Carteret Street. His business proved much more successful than his parents. Around 1973, the Marks’ closed their business and joined their son’s.