S. G. Shaia

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S. G. Shaia was a Lebanese immigrant merchant and the founder of a mercantile business in downtown Homewood which is now known as Shaia's.

He arrived in the area in 1922 from Nashville, where he had followed the woman who became his wife. As a traveling salesman he crisscrossed Jefferson County on foot selling small items. After a while, he built a home on 18th Street in Homewood and planted a garden next door.

In the 1930s Shaia and his son A. J. built a dry goods shop next to the house. The business expanded to sell a large variety of items and stayed in the family.

References

  • Sepsas, Niki (September 2006) "The Best Names in the Business." Birmingham Magazine. Vol. 46, No. 9. p. 122

External link