Franzblau’s Womens Wear & Tots to Teens

Type of Business: Women's & Children's Clothing

Years of Operation: 1935-1962

Location: 144 Laurens St SW (currently Cyndi’s Sweet Shop)

Family: Franzblau (Nettie)

Nettie Franzblau (1900-1992) came to Aiken from New York with her husband Nathan and their two small children in 1934. Nathan opened a hardware store on Richland Avenue that became a fixture in the town. Nettie first opened a thrift shop on Park Avenue and then a women’s and children’s clothing store on Laurens Street. The clothing store operated for 25 years and she took pride in having dressed multiple generations of Aikenites (children who became customers as adults and then came to her to dress their own children). Nettie explained in the newspaper article upon her retirement that she & Nathan drove South from New York looking for a better climate for her husband’s asthma. It took six weeks to get here with stops in Durham, Asheville, Camden & Sumter. She explained they knew they were at home in Aiken due to the friendliness of the people they met upon their arrival.