Rivkin’s Hardware & Furniture

Rivkin’s Hardware & Furniture was established by Columbia native Lewis Stanley Rivkin (1907-2002). Lewis was a lifelong member of Beth Shalom Synagogue (previously House of Peace), where his parents—Jacob (1876-1962) and Tama (1876-1938)—were founding members. In 1933, he married Jennie Winter (1911-1966) and by the following year, they welcomed the first of four children.

In 1937, Lewis opened his hardware store at 1421 Assembly Street and sold everything from linoleum and carpeting to appliances and machine parts. After Jennie’s death in 1966, he married Russia native, Rebecca Freed (1910-2000), and continued to operate his store on Assembly Street until retirement. His successor closed the shop in 1991 stating that “we are proud that our site will be part of the new magnificent Richland County Library building.”¹

¹ Liquidation advertisement, State, February 8, 1991, 11.