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Fashion Bar (Denver, Colo.)

 Organization

Biography

Siblings Hannah, Jack and Edward Levy immigrated to America in the 1920s. Jack Levy came to America in 1923, headed to Denver, and began working at his uncle's business, Hilb and Company. Edward Levy reached Denver in 1925 and also started working for Hilb and Company, eventually becoming the president. After working in New York City for 20 months at menial jobs, Hannah moved to Denver in the fall of 1927. Jack started as a traveling salesman for the Hilb company and Hannah as a shop-girl at Neusteters Department store, before Jack opened a hosiery store, which evolved into the Fashion Bar Corporation. Despite the Great Depression, the enterprise flourished, and within three years, Fashion Bar grew to five clothing stores. William Weil, a distant cousin, became a salesman for the company, and in 1968, he became president of the company. By the 1980s, Fashion Bar employed over 1700 people in over 84 specialty clothing stores. Fashion Bar became the largest privately owned chain in Colorado. Hannah and Jack Levy remained involved in the business until their deaths. The Fashion Bar Company was sold in 1992. Hannah and Jack Levy remained involved in the business until their deaths. The Fashion Bar Company was sold in 1992.

Sources: https://www.immigrantentrepreneurship.org/entry.php?rec=268 (article by Jeanne Abrams (2016). Tales of a Little Trunk by Hannah Shwayder Berry. Obituaries.

Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:

Box 1: Brown Leather Suitcase, between 1938-1993

 Item — Box B097.03.0001: Series B097.03 [Barcode: U186020735984]
Identifier: B097.03.0001.00001
Abstract

A brown leather suitcase with two leather straps across the sides that buckle at the top. Two metal snaps are along the side of the top and a metal latch with a lock is featured in the middle. Originally belonged to Hannah Levy.

Dates: between 1938-1993

Box 3, 1960-1990

 File — Box B097.01.0003: Series B097.02 [Barcode: U186020759205]
Identifier: B097.02.0003
Abstract

(6) file folders include: Hannah Levy; Fashion Bar correspondence; articles and clippings; employee material. (1) framed dollar bill from Boulder Chamber of Commerce; (1) News article remembering Fashion Bar in 1933 mounted on wood; (1) Jack Levy membership metal of the ADL; (1) United Airlines 100,000 mile club plaque for Hannah Levy; (1) Rose Medical Center plaque; (1) Keymatic rolodex.

Dates: 1960-1990

Box 4, 1938-1993

 File — Box B097.01.0004: Series B097.02 [Barcode: U186020759213]
Identifier: B097.02.0004
Abstract

Administrative and financial papers of Fashion Bar Inc.; (2) bound sales ledgers (1944-1947) & (1957 01965).

Dates: 1938-1993

Box 5, 1960-1990

 File — Box B097.0005: Series B097.04 [Barcode: U186020759289]
Identifier: B097.04.0005
Abstract

(21) Mounted photos of interior of Fashion Bar clothing store.

Dates: 1960-1990

Box 6, 1938-1993

 File — Box B097.04.0006: Series B097.04 [Barcode: U186020759239]
Identifier: B097.04.0006
Abstract

(7) file folders include: photographs of Fashion Bar buildings, events, logo images, employees, and Hannah and Jack Levy. Photos of trips to Hong Kong, Italy and Israel with Golda Meir. Also a photo with May D and F visible.

Dates: 1938-1993

Box 7, 1970

 File — Box B097.01.0007: Series B097.04 [Barcode: U186020759247]
Identifier: B097.04.0007
Abstract

(11) boxes of color slide film

Dates: 1970

Box 10, 1950-1990

 File — Box B097.01.0010: Series B097.04 [Barcode: U186022111453]
Identifier: B097.04.0010
Abstract

(1) framed photo of Fashion Bar store front; (1) framed photo of 15th annual Christmas party (1951); (1) small framed photo of downtown Greeley store; (1) large advertising copy scrapbook (1980s)

Dates: 1950-1990

Box 12, 1900-1993

 File — Box B097.01.0012: Series B097.01 [Barcode: U186022111461]
Identifier: B097.01.0012
Abstract

(1) framed photo of Denver Street James Hotel, future site of first Fashion Bar store (c. 1900); (1) framed photo portrait of Jack Levy (c. 1970).

Dates: 1900-1993

Box 15, 1950-1970

 File — Box B097.01.0015: Series B097.04 [Barcode: U186020759328]
Identifier: B097.04.0015
Abstract

(1) large bound scrapbook

Dates: 1950-1970

Box 16, 1938-1953

 File — Box B097.01.0016: Series B097.02 [Barcode: U186020759336]
Identifier: B097.02.0016
Abstract

(1) large ledger containing Fashion Bar sales 1938-1953

Dates: 1938-1953

Filtered By

  • Subject: Jews X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 13
Collection 1
 
Subject
Denver (Colo.) 3
Department stores 3
Clothing trade 2
Colorado 2
Jewish businesspeople 2