Meyer Horovin (1890-1981) was born in Polotsk, Russia (present-day Polotsk, Belarus). In 1906, he immigrated to the United States. Around 1920, Horovin married Bee Monoson (1892-1996), who emigrated from Russia in 1904. By 1927, the Horovins were living in Sumter, South Carolina, where Meyer worked as the manager of a dry goods store. In January 1938, Meyer opened two liquor stores in Manning, and, two months later, he opened a liquor store in Holly Hill. In 1940, Meyer opened Variety Liquor Store at 3 West Liberty Street in Sumter, which he and Bee operated until 1965.