BLUESTEIN'S BROTHERS DEPARTMENT STORE | 494 King Street
In business for over 134 years
Nicky Bluestein, owner of Bluestein’s, talks about closing the King Street men’s clothing store after 134 years in business in downtown Charleston. Brad Nettles/StaffBy Warren L. Wise
... " His great grandmother started the business in 1883 on upper King Street, but Bluestein doesn’t know exactly where it was located.
In 1907, she purchased the structure at King and Mary streets with her two sons, Joseph and Hyman Bluestein. It included a single-family house next door that eventually was incorporated into the store.
In 1911, Nicky Bluestein’s grandfather, Joseph, outbid the brother for the property and the business at a price of $4,500. In 1913, his grandfather restored the front with blue ceramic on brick, which remains today. The date can be seen on the front of the structure.
Nicky Bluestein’s father, Melvin, took over the business in the early 1930s. Nicky started working there in the mid-1960s.
In 1987, a fire destroyed the building when it was shared with George’s Loan & Music, which closed earlier this year a few doors north of Bluestein’s after 81 years in the pawn shop business.
Everything was destroyed except the facade and 29 feet of stucco and brick on both sides.
“The actual contract on the property burned in the fire,” Bluestein said.
Bluestein said he is amazed at the development now occurring throughout Charleston and the rapid changes to upper King Street.
“What blows my mind is when I come here at night and see all the traffic and all of the people on the street,” he said. “It’s unreal what’s going on. " •
Nicky Bluestein, owner of Bluestein’s, talks about closing the King Street men’s clothing store after 134 years in business in downtown Charleston. Brad Nettles/StaffBy Warren L. Wise wwise@postandcourier.com
https://www.postandcourier.com/business/bluestein-s-menswear-shop-folding-up-after-years-in-downtown/article_75bc9876-d901-11e7-a30b-3798a228be1b.html
Read MoreNicky Bluestein, owner of Bluestein’s, talks about closing the King Street men’s clothing store after 134 years in business in downtown Charleston. Brad Nettles/StaffBy Warren L. Wise
... " His great grandmother started the business in 1883 on upper King Street, but Bluestein doesn’t know exactly where it was located.
In 1907, she purchased the structure at King and Mary streets with her two sons, Joseph and Hyman Bluestein. It included a single-family house next door that eventually was incorporated into the store.
In 1911, Nicky Bluestein’s grandfather, Joseph, outbid the brother for the property and the business at a price of $4,500. In 1913, his grandfather restored the front with blue ceramic on brick, which remains today. The date can be seen on the front of the structure.
Nicky Bluestein’s father, Melvin, took over the business in the early 1930s. Nicky started working there in the mid-1960s.
In 1987, a fire destroyed the building when it was shared with George’s Loan & Music, which closed earlier this year a few doors north of Bluestein’s after 81 years in the pawn shop business.
Everything was destroyed except the facade and 29 feet of stucco and brick on both sides.
“The actual contract on the property burned in the fire,” Bluestein said.
Bluestein said he is amazed at the development now occurring throughout Charleston and the rapid changes to upper King Street.
“What blows my mind is when I come here at night and see all the traffic and all of the people on the street,” he said. “It’s unreal what’s going on. " •
Nicky Bluestein, owner of Bluestein’s, talks about closing the King Street men’s clothing store after 134 years in business in downtown Charleston. Brad Nettles/StaffBy Warren L. Wise wwise@postandcourier.com
https://www.postandcourier.com/business/bluestein-s-menswear-shop-folding-up-after-years-in-downtown/article_75bc9876-d901-11e7-a30b-3798a228be1b.html
