Persky’s Department Store

Type of Business: Dry Goods

Years of Operation: 1932-1965

Location: 116 Laurens St SW (currently Folly)

Family: Persky (Nathan)

Nathan Persky (1888-1965) & his wife Esther Surasky Persky (daughter of HC Surasky) opened this clothing store on Laurens St in 1932 after the death of her father in the same year. The store operated in the same location as HC Surasky’s store. Nathan was a big supporter of the Boy Scouts and the store had a special department for Boy Scout clothing/supplies. He was said to often sell Boy Scout supplies below cost to families who could not afford them. Nathan was active in Aiken civic affairs serving as a Director of the local chapter of the Red Cross & as the Chairman of the Board of Health. These contributions were recognized when he was named Aiken Man of the Year in 1955. Nathan was also a leader in the Aiken Jewish community — leading services at the Synagogue and training many children for their Bar Mitzvahs. The Persky store closed after after Nathan's death in 1965.