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228. Sol Cahn Grocery 1910

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Updated: Mar 29, 2022


Sol Cahn was born on November 28, 1862 in Belmont, Texas and grew up in New Orleans. He came to Pensacola in 1882 and went to work as a bookkeeper for the Lewis Bear Company at the northeast corner of Palafox and Main Streets. He later opened his own store at 201 South Palafox Street on January 13, 1898 on the southwest corner of Palafox and Intendencia. From the first day of his new business Sol set his standards devilishly high. He demanded and received only the best merchandise for the well stocked shelves of his store. As an example for years his store was the only one in Pensacola that carried Chase & Sanborn Coffee, grown in Brazil and produced in Boston. His butter was ordered from as far away as Wisconsin and Omaha, Nebraska. His potato chips were brought in from Denver, Colorado and his fresh eggs were shipped by rail from Pulaski, Tennessee.


With the arrival of the “cash and carry” payment systems, competition for business became even more acute. It was then that Sol began developing his delicatessen department that he first established in 1912. He even introduced one-armed chairs so his customers could eat their sandwiches and potato salad in stylish comfort. He was known for their great sandwiches, all made by a man named Frank H. Tally who worked faithfully for Sol for forty years. Frank’s brother worked at the Dainty Del restaurant down the street and both were known in the area as excellent cooks. However, their main cook was a Greek man by the name of George Brown who was the main chef for the company.


By happenstance, George was married to Gracie, the granddaughter of my uncle Daniel M. and Frances Majors. In 1914, Sol moved his business to 103 South Palafox Street where it continued to prosper in its new location. Sol would serve as a member of the Board of City Aldermen, director of the Mutual Building & Loan Association, Pensacola Home & Savings Association, and the First National Bank. He was a member of the Temple Beth El, Scottish Rite Masonry, a Charter member of the Shrine and a charter member of the Rotary Club.


Unfortunately, Sol died on October 20, 1922 and the business came under the control of his son Kenneth and his son-in-law Jake Hirsch. Together the two boys decided to move the business for the final time in 1935 when it was relocated to 16 North Palafox Street. When Jake died the next year, Sol’s daughter Leah, took his place as an active partner and helped her brother run the business. The store was finally closed in 1943 after a fire next door caused considerable damage to Sol’s business much to the chagrin of the Pensacola population. Sol was buried in the Temple Beth-El Cemetery.


Sol Cahn & Company 1910


The old Sol Cahn and Company Building c1940


Sol Cahn


Sol Cahn & Company Advertisement 1910


Sol Cahn's Business Circle 1897


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