Brackin's
Brackin's Inc., also known as Brackin's Jewelry Co. was a diamond and jewelry store located in the Gelders Building at 325 20th Street North, on the corner of 4th Avenue North, from 1923 to 1947.
The store was founded by Nelson Brackin, a former chemist for the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company who had entered the jewelry business as a credit manager for Bromberg's. After a stint with Wright, Kay & Co. in Detroit, Michigan, he returned to Birmingham to succeed F. M. Lynch as president of the Lynch Jewelry Co.. His partner, diamond broker Phil Tishman, served as president of the jewelry store itself. The re-organized store signed a 30-year lease at its prime location next door to Triver's, and held its grand opening on November 23 offering to waive down payments for its "pay as you get paid" credit plan.
In March 1926 a major remodeling of the Gelders Building was announced and Brackin added an electric marquee extending 15 feet on 20th Street and 40 feet on 4th Avenue, spelling out the store's well-known slogan, "Meet Brackin and Wear Diamonds" with 600 light bulbs. The interior casework was also replaced with new walnut fixtures.
Tishman retired from the business in 1929, leaving Brackin as sole owner. He engaged Wheelock again to design and expansion of the store to include new departments selling leather goods, eyewear, desk sets and electrical appliances. Louis Tinder joined the business as "optometrist in charge" of the store's optical department. Robert Bishop, a former colleague of Brackin at Bromberg's, joined the company in 1931 as manager of the repair department.
In 1935 Brackin's expanded again, to 4,000 square feet, with new lines of home furnishings. The $18,000 remodeling, announced as a vote of confidence in Birmingham's economic recovery from the Great Depression, also added air-conditioning to some departments. By 1941 the business also had branch stores in Montgomery, Mobile, Gadsden and Tuscaloosa.
Brackin served as a U.S. Army officer in World War II. He retired from business in 1947. His store was purchased by Busch's Jewelers. After a long overseas trip, Brackin returned to the city where he continued to own the Ford Clothing Co. and to manage several real estate holdings.
References
- "Jeweler Plans Extensive Improvements To Building At Fourth And Twentieth" (March 21, 1926) The Birmingham News, p. 6
- "Backin Keeps Pace With City Growth", advertisement (September 6, 1929) The Birmingham News, p. 10
- "Enlarged Brackin Store Opened For Public Inspection." (October 27, 1935) The Birmingham News, p. 4
- "Rumors Brackin In Jail False; He'll Keep Big Flag Flying." (February 18, 1942) The Birmingham News, p. 1
- "Snow and Sand" (March 14, 1943) The Birmingham News, p. 20