A. Schwab Dry Goods Store is the sole remaining original business on Beale Street in

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History

A. Schwab Dry Goods Store was established in 1876 by Abraham Joseph Schwab, an

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immigrant, who fled to the United States to escape German enlistment during the Franco-Prussian War. After arriving in Memphis, Schwab joined the Hirsch family and opened A. Schwab Dry Goods Store, selling men's shoes and boots under the name "Hirsch, Schwab & Co" at 66 Beale. A. Schwab's was also the retailer of the largest overalls in the world which sold two pair a year. Over the next decade Hirsch, Schwab, & Co would expand its services into clothing, hardware and home appliances before the families split in 1886. Following the split Schwab would continue independently moving to 149 Beale under the current name of A. Schwab. In 1911 the business was passed along to his sons, Sam, Elias, and Leo, who moved the shop to the first floor of its current address at 163 Beale. The new store front was inherited by Sam's daughter, Eleanor Schwab Braslow, and Elias's son, Abram Schwab. Eleanor would keep the books and maintain A. Schwab's stock while Abram would act as the public face of the business. The two expanded the shop to its current size in 1924 buying the second floor of their building and the adjacent storefront, 165 Beale, which had previously been one of the original

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grocery stores. Elanor and Abram also began a line of Schwab's hygiene products trademarked in 1924 under the name "Schwab's Nature" selling soaps and face wash through their store and other local pharmacies. Today it is a local

tourist attraction A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement. Types Places of natural b ...

. On the balcony mezzanine is the Beale Street Museum, a collection of Beale Street

memorabilia A souvenir (), memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. A souvenir can be any object that can be collected or purchased and transported home by the traveler as a m ...

, along with several items and records of the Schwab family. The second floor has is an event venue and houses the hoodoo items and musical goods. The first floor sells quirky merchandise and tourist memorabilia while what used to be the next door shop has been converted into an ice-cream bar. A. Schwab was the oldest store in the Mid-South and is housed in the oldest remaining building on Beale Street. After 136 years of ownership, the Schwab family sold the business at the end of 2011.

References

Buildings and structures in Memphis, Tennessee Retail companies established in 1876 Historic district contributing properties in Tennessee 1876 establishments in Tennessee National Register of Historic Places in Memphis, Tennessee Tourist attractions in Memphis, Tennessee {{portal, Companies