A small business that survives for 100 years is a noteworthy accomplishment. A business that has survived for 100 years with three generations of family ownership is something to write about. This is the story of M. A. Marks, Tailor.
Abraham Marks emigrated from Germany to New York City in the 1850s. His son, Michael A. Marks, was born shortly thereafter in 1860. Abraham and his son moved to Holyoke in October 1877, a mere four years after Holyoke became a city.
Abraham Marks opened a tailor shop at 81 Main Street in 1877, and his son joined the business in 1878. The company was called Marks, the Tailor. The earliest advertisements for the business appeared in the Holyoke Transcript in October 1882. Both father and son recognized the benefits of advertising and did so regularly throughout their long history in tailoring.
In 1885, Abraham Marks opened a tailor and clothier shop at 97 Main Street in the Welch Block. Michael A. Marks remained at the 81 Main Street shop, which was renamed M. A. Marks, Tailor. It was interesting to find an ad for each business in the April 7, 1885, edition of the Holyoke Transcript. I am unsure if the two locations were a cooperative or competitive venture.
In 1890, Abraham Marks relocated to 308 High Street, and the business was renamed A. Marks, the Tailor.
In 1892, M. A. Marks moved from 81 Main Street to 344 High Street at the corner of Division. Father and son were reunited at this business location. The business continued to thrive in its downtown location.
Abraham Marks died in early June 1906, at the age of 82. Michael A. Marks continued to operate the business. In late 1906, the business moved across the street to 337 High Street. Business relocations were a rather common occurrence at the turn of the century.
In 1912, M. A. Marks gave a presentation to the Holyoke Merchant Tailors Association on the power of advertising. The group endorsed his ideas and agreed to advertise more in the future.
Mr. Marks also attended style shows in New York to stay up to date with the latest trends. More will be shared about the intriguing history of the Marks family tailoring in Part 2.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
No comments:
Post a Comment