First Three Story Brick Building​

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     In 1895, S. Waxelbaum & Son sold their business and this corner lot to Raif Simmons. In 1900, Mr. Simmons, contracted with A.J. Franklin to build this three-story business building. Mr. Simmons, and then his daughter, Lula Simmons Grimes, ran Statesboro Mercantile Company at this site until 1926. Then Jake Fine operated the Fine Company here for ten years before moving his store to Broughton Street in Savannah. From 1936 to 1986 the building housed H. Minkovitz and Sons Department Store. Hyman Minkovitz emigrated from Russia in 1905 and moved from NYC to Brooklet, Georgia. He had two sons, Ike and Sol. Ike ran this store and Sol ran a similar store in Sylvania. This store had a mezzanine and also an elevator with an attendant. The only Boy Scout and Girl Scout store in town was located here.

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Supported by the Jack N. & Addie D. Averitt Foundation. 2019