Jerry Solomon Pinkussohn | Samuel Pinkussohn | Isadore Pinkussohn
Jerry Solomon Pinkussohn (1852–1922), who opened a wholesale cigar business in 1884, became “one of Charleston’s ablest and most substantial citizens.” With his brothers Samuel (1863–1944) and Isadore (1868-1926) as partners, J. S. Pinkussohn & Bros. grew quickly, and in 1889, the firm took over the business of A. Kuchle & Co., cigars and tobacco, at 270 King Street, on the ground floor of Charleston’s Masonic Hall. By the turn of the twentieth century, the tobacco shop had relocated to a bigger space (274 King) at the northern end of the same building. Eventually, J. S. Pinkussohn & Bros. added a second shop at 2 Broad Street.
By 1921, the J. S. Pinkussohn chain was headquartered in Savannah, and owned retail and wholesale tobacco stores in Charleston, Columbia, Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida, and Athens, Georgia. Samuel Pinkussohn, the last surviving member of the firm, retired in 1934, and the chain of businesses was sold.
For more information on the Pinkussohn family, see the Pinkussohn family papers, Special Collections, College of Charleston.
Newspaper advertisement, 1925
Courtesy of Charleston County Public Library.
Jerry S. Pinkussohn (1852–1922)
Partnered with his brothers, Samuel (1863–1944) and Isadore (1868–1926), in a chain of retail and wholesale tobacco stores in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.
J. L. David and Hirsch, Israel & Co.
273 King Street, seen on the left in this nighttime photograph, housed Hirsch, Israel & Company from about 1887 to 1897. At the time this image was taken, between 1900 and 1915, J. L. David, later known as David Outfitters, occupied the building. Hirsch, Israel & Company moved across Wentworth Street to 275 King (center left). J. S. Pinkussohn Cigar, 274 King Street, can be seen on the right. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection, reproduction number LC-DIG-det-4a25343.