JR Poliakoff

Type of Store: Dry Goods

Years of Operation: 1908-1936

Location: Aiken Hotel (Richland Ave E & Laurens St S)

Family: Poliakoff (Jacob, Rebecca & Gussie)

Jacob S Poliakoff (1866-1937) operated as a peddler in Aiken County as early as 1897. He opened JR Poliakoff Dry Goods in the Aiken Hotel in 1908 with his wife Rebecca (possibly explaining the initials in the store name). Most likely, he took over the location previously occupied by his cousin Sam, who closed his Famous Shoe Store there around the same time. Jacob ran his store (later with help from his daughter Gussie) until his retirement in 1936. He was a leading member of the Aiken Jewish community and was one of the founding members of the Adath Yeshurun Synagogue.