Louis Saks Clothiers
Louis Saks Clothiers (commonly Saks') was a department store owned by Louis Saks which operated in downtown Birmingham.
The original location of Saks' store was a three-story brick building on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue North and 19th Street. In 1899, shortly after an Anti-Spitting Law was placed in effect, Saks set out large spittoons on the sidewalk outside his store, painted with the slogan "We provide for the Public. Louis Saks, the clothier."
That building was heavily damaged by a fire that broke out shortly after midnight on June 22, 1910. At the time the loss was estimated at over $200,000. The adjoining Spielberger Brothers store was also damaged.
The second location, which opened in 1916, was built on the former site of the Florence Hotel, a block away on the northwest corner of 19th Street and 2nd Avenue North. The 5-story building was designed by Miller, Martin & Lewis. This store became Melancon's and, later, a J. J. Newberry's variety store. The building was demolished for construction of the McWane Science Center's IMAX Dome theater.
References
- Hollis, Tim (2005) Birmingham's Theater and Retail District. Images of America series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0738517771
External links
- Louis Saks Clothing Company on Emporis.com