Red Star Store

Max Aberman (1881-1919) was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States in 1904 before settling in Columbia, South Carolina in 1908. By 1909, Max was able to pay for his wife, Celia Aberman (1888-1944), and daughter, Olga, to come from Russia and join him in Columbia. Max was born as Max Gergel and according to his niece, Shirley Gergel Ness, took his wife Celia’s last name when they married to avoid being drafted into the Russian army. In 1913, Max opened a clothing store called the Red Star Store at 1107 Washington Street. That same year, Max’s brother, Isidore Gergel (1892-1963) joined Max in Columbia and in 1914, two more brothers Joseph (1890-1976) and Gustave (1898-1927) immigrated to Columbia as well. All three brothers worked for Max at the Red Star Store after they came to the United States. By 1915, Max had moved his store to 925 Gervais Street where it remained until its closing. Max opened a second clothing store in 1918 that was called The Leader and located at 1804 Main Street, although this business appears to have been short lived and is not listed in any city directories after 1918. Max died of influenza in 1919, after which Celia and Gustave ran the clothing store on Gervais Street which was likely under the name of Aberman & Gergel. Celia and Gustave did not partner for long and in June of 1919 Gustave moved to his own store on Assembly Street while Celia kept the store on Gervais Street which was once again called the Red Star Store. By 1921, Joseph Gergel bought Celia out and the business closed shortly thereafter.