Alfred S. Hart

Alfred S. Hart
Born	1904 Hungary
Died	1979
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, financier, corporate director, banker
Years active	1920s–1979
Known for	Beer wholesaler during Prohibition; founder of City National Bank; board member of Columbia Pictures

Alfred S. Hart (also referred to as Al Hart or Alfred Harskovitz) (1904–1979) was a Hungarian-born American entrepreneur and financier. During the era of Prohibition, he operated as a beer wholesaler in Chicago and later became a distributor of wine and spirits in Los Angeles, California. Hart held a position on the board of Columbia Pictures and established City National Bank in Beverly Hills in 1954.

Early life

Alfred Harskovitz was born into a Jewish family in Hungary in 1904 and subsequently emigrated to the United States, where he made his home in Chicago.

Career

Hart’s professional journey began as a beer wholesaler working under Al Capone during Prohibition. He later took charge of Gold Seal Liquors, which was owned by Charles Gioe and Joseph Fusco.

In the 1920s, he relocated to California and founded Glencoe Distilleries along with the Pacific Brewing Company. By the 1930s, Hart had acquired ownership of Central Liquor Distributors, San Angelo Wine and Spirit Corporation, and Alfred Hart Distilleries, eventually becoming the principal owner of Maier Brewing Company.

His business interests extended to owning the Del Mar racetrack located in San Diego, making a $75,000 investment in the Flamingo Hotel in 1948, and engaging in real estate ventures within San Bernardino.

Hart was a member of the board at Columbia Pictures. In 1954, he launched City National Bank in Beverly Hills and appointed Benjamin N. Maltz as its inaugural chairman.

Death

Hart passed away in 1979.