Jacob Wolf Men’s Store, The Leader

Type of Business: Men’s Clothing

Years of Operation & Location

• 1909 – 1932, 160 Laurens St SW, Weeks Building (currently part of Nandina)

• 1932 -1962, 126 Laurens St SW (currently Equine Divine)

Family: Wolf (Jacob & Isadore)

Jacob Wolf (1873-1948) started as a peddler in Graniteville in 1900 before taking over the dry goods business of MS Polier in 1906. He shifted from dry goods to men's clothing in 1909 and operated out of a location in the Weeks Building on Lauren's Street until 1932, when that location became the site of his wife’s women’s clothing store (Julia's Dress Shop). At that point, he moved his store a few doors down on Lauren’s St to the location currently occupied by Equine Divine. In 1925, he was joined in the business by his son Isadore and the name of the business was changed to The Leader. Isadore ran the business after Jacob’s death in 1948 until he retired in 1962. In total, the store operated for more than 50 years, serving a wide range of Aiken residents including members of the Winter Colony.