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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 28 Collections and/or Records:

Fashion Bar and Levy Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B097
Abstract 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...
Dates: 1938-1993; Coverage: 1900-1993

Fashion Bar Token, circa1975

 Item
Identifier: B097.03.0020.00001
Abstract

The plastic gold coin has symbol of Colorado mountains and sun in inner circle on the front side. In the outer circle of: "Fashion Bar Colorado Gold, Not redeemable for cash, Cannot be applied to charge or lawaway." On the flip side is fb in the center and "fashion bar ladies-fashion bar mens-young set-stage-hannah-Po boys" around the outside.

Dates: circa1975

Jack Weil, Hannah Levy, and the 32nd Anniversary of Fashion Bar, c. 1960

 Item
Identifier: B097.05.0019.0002.00001
Abstract

Contains one large format image of Hannah Levy and Jack Weil and another of a 32nd anniversary sale at Fashion Bar.

Dates: c. 1960

Levy Family Portrait, circa 1929

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0005.00023
Abstract

Bertha and Raphael Levy stand in the center, surrounded by their children. Jack and Hannah stand to Bertha's right, and Edward Levy is to Raphael's left. Kate and Ruth Levy are sitting in the grass. This photograph was taken in Denver, Colorado. Hannah and Jack Levy were the founders of the Fashion Bar retail women's clothing stores throughout Colorado.

Dates: circa 1929

Making a Living, Panel 2, 2001

 Item — Object B297.02.01.00035: Series B297.02 [Barcode: U18602328613]
Identifier: B297.02.01.00035
Abstract

One of 12 exhibit display panels from the exhibit "Blazing the Trail: Denver's Jewish Pioneers." One of 12 exhibit display panels from the exhibit "Blazing the Trail: Denver's Jewish Pioneers." Panel titled "Making a Living" includes Louis Robinson, Shwayder Brothers, Levy Family and Fashion Bar, Star Bakery, K & B Packing, Frankel Manufacturing, and Senator Abraham Hirschfeld.

Dates: Other: 2001

Material Culture, 1938-1993

 Series
Identifier: B097.03
Scope and Contents

Series contains Fashion Bar brown leather suitcase, garment bag, and token.

Dates: 1938-1993

Oral History Interview with Siblings Hannah and Jack Levy, 1983 October 18

 Item
Identifier: B098.01.0005.00116
Abstract "Siblings Jack and Hannah Levy discuss the Levy family history, how they started the retail store, Fashion Bar, and the development of their stores. They also talk about the fashion business. Siblings Hannah and Jack Levy were born in Haigerloch, Germany. Jack Levy immigrated to the United States arriving in Denver, Colorado in 1923 at the age of 14. Hannah Levy immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York in 1926 at the age of 20. She lived on her own in New York for nearly two...
Dates: 1983 October 18

William Weil (Fashion Bar) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B265
Abstract

William Weil was the manager of the Fashion Bar stores in Denver, Colorado and president by the time of his retirement. The Fashion Bar was a very successful chain of department stores owned by siblings Jack Levy and Hannah Levy. Collection contains photographs, scrapbooks, foreign currency, diplomas, transcripts, correspondence, resumes, family trees, naval service records, divorce papers, and publications from William Weil (Fashion Bar) from 1920 through 2000.

Dates: c. 1875-2002

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 26
Collection 2
 
Subject
Jews 14
Denver (Colo.) 10
Colorado 7
Department stores 7
Photographs 7