Born in Kolbuszowa, Galicia, Austria, Charlotte Salz (1901-1987) was the youngest of her parents’ seven children. Following the devastation of World War I and the death of her parents within a few months of each other, she decided to immigrate to the United States. Charlotte arrived in New York City in January 1921 and moved in with one of her brothers in Manhattan. During the day she worked as a machine operator in an undergarment factory, and at night she attended school to learn English. In April 1930, Charlotte married Polish immigrant Raphael Brotman (1896-1946). The couple moved south to Charleston in 1931. There, Raphael worked as a peddler through at least 1934. Charlotte and Raphael then opened an army-navy store on King Street, which proved very popular during the war years. After Raphael’s death, Charlotte continued to operate the store until 1962, when she sold out her stock and moved to Summerton, SC to be closer to her daughter, Miriam Brotman Gordin, and her family. In Summerton, Charlotte opened ladies’ clothing store The Towne Shoppe.