Levy Brothers Dry Goods – Back when Local was Best

Levy Bros. Dry Goods Company was a department store chain in the history of Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1887 by brothers Abraham and Leo Levy. The company’s first store was located at 309 – 311 Main Street in downtown Houston.

The company was founded in 1887 by Abraham and Leo Levy. The brothers were born in Prussia and immigrated to the United States in the 1870s.

Abraham Levy

Abraham Levy was a prominent figure in the Houston Jewish community. He served as president of the United Jewish Charities and was a member of the board of directors of the Houston Symphony. He was also a founding member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.

Abraham Levy died in 1924 at the age of 65. He is buried in the Beth Israel Cemetery in Houston.

Good Corporate Citizen

Levy Bros. Dry Goods Company also had a strong commitment to community service. In 1912, the Levy brothers donated land for the construction of a new synagogue in Houston. The synagogue, which was named Congregation Beth Israel, is still in use today. The Levy Brothers Dry Goods Company The Levy brothers’ legacy lives on in the form of the Levy Park, a 100-acre park located in the heart of Houston. The park was donated to the city by the Levy family in 1929.

Timeline

Levy Bros. Dry Goods Company continued to prosper well into the 20th century. In 1929, the company built a new flagship store at 914 Main Street. The new store was designed by architect Joseph Finger. It was one of the most modern department stores in the country.

Levy Bros. Dry Goods Company began to struggle in the 1970s. The rise of chain stores and discount retailers took a toll on Levy Bros., and the company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1982. The flagship store closed its doors in 1983, and the company’s other stores were eventually sold to other retailers.

The Levy Bros. Dry Goods Company had been a major part of Houston’s history for over 90 years. The company’s stores were popular with shoppers of all ages, and the company’s commitment to community service made it a respected member of the Houston community.

The company was founded by Abraham and Leo Levy, who were born in Prussia.
Its first store was located at 309 – 311 Main Street in downtown Houston.
Levy Brothers’ flagship store was later located at 914 Main Street. The building was designed by architect Joseph Finger and was one of the most modern department stores in the country.
The company filed for bankruptcy in 1982 and closed its doors in 1983.

Dry Goods to Department Stores

Dry goods stores were a type of retail store that sold a variety of dry goods, such as fabrics, clothing, and home goods. They were popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, before the rise of modern department stores.

Dry goods stores differed from modern department stores in a few key ways:

First: Dry goods stores were typically smaller and less crowded than department stores.

Second: Dry goods stores typically had a narrower selection of merchandise.

Third: They were often family-owned and operated, while department stores were typically owned by large corporations.

Despite these differences, dry goods stores played an important role in the development of modern retail. They helped to popularize the idea of shopping for a variety of goods under one roof. They also helped to make shopping more convenient and accessible for people of all income levels.

Legacy

The company was owned by the Levy family for its entire history. After the company filed for bankruptcy in 1982, the assets were sold to various other retailers. The flagship store at 914 Main Street was eventually converted into a hotel.

Levy Brothers Dry Goods had several locations in Houston. The company also had a few stores in other parts of Texas, including Beaumont, Galveston, and San Antonio. However, the company closed all of its stores outside of Houston in the 1960s.

The company’s flagship store at 914 Main Street was a major landmark in the city for many years. The building is still standing today, and it is now a hotel.

Levy Brothers Dry Goods was a major employer in Houston for many years. The company employed over 400 people at its peak.