S. Klein
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (department store) |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Founder | Samuel Klein |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Fate | Stores closed systematically and brand discontinued |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Greater New York City metropolitan area, Philadelphia metropolitan area, Alexandria (Virginia), Greenbelt (Maryland) |
Key people | Samuel Klein (founder) |
| Products | Department store goods including furniture, fur salons, pet care |
| Owner | Rapid-American Corp. (later years) |
| Parent | Rapid-American Corp. (in mid-1970s) |
S. Klein On The Square, commonly referred to as S. Klein, was a widely recognized department store chain offering affordable prices, headquartered in New York City. Its main stores, consisting of a primary building and a separate women's fashion location, were situated on Union Square East in Manhattan. The store's subtitle derived from its location combined with the 1920s colloquial expression "on the square," which signified honesty and straightforwardness. S. Klein positioned itself above regional discount retailers of the era such as Two Guys and Great Eastern Mills, provided more fashion-conscious selections than E. J. Korvette, and presented a more budget-friendly alternative compared to established department stores like Macy's and Abraham & Straus. These stores were comprehensive in their offerings, featuring departments for furniture, fur salons, and even full-service pet care.
Early years
Founded by Russian immigrant Samuel Klein (1886–1942), S. Klein began operations in 1905 or approximately 1912, located on Union Square East between 14th and 15th Streets in the space previously occupied by the Union Square Hotel.
Due to its status as a significant discount retailer, S. Klein was among the few businesses to see profit growth during the Great Depression as consumers became more price-conscious and sought economical shopping options; during this period, Klein earned profits exceeding $1 million annually. To sustain low pricing, S. Klein depended heavily on rapid inventory turnover and minimized overhead expenses, with rent and wages accounting for only about 6-7% of the store’s earnings.
Like many low-cost retailers of the time, S. Klein faced substantial challenges with shoplifting, losing up to $100,000 worth of merchandise yearly, partly because customers were allowed to select items themselves, unlike higher-end stores. Inside the store, large signs warned "Dishonesty Means Prison" in five languages; however, it remains uncertain whether all shoplifters were consistently prosecuted. Disorderly conduct also posed difficulties, particularly during sales events when shoppers attempted to purchase large quantities of merchandise. Author Albert Halper recounted an incident where "crowds of women were ... storming all the entrances to Klein's ... overturning tables stacked with handbags and blouses." To manage such disturbances, security personnel were employed.
Although there was no official policy enforcing de jure racial segregation, S. Klein deliberately aimed to serve only white customers. According to Benjamin Davis, one employee revealed that staff were instructed to "insult Negro patrons so that they won't come back again."
Suburban expansion
During the 1960s, S. Klein embarked on developing new stores in suburban locations, adopting a distinctive approach. Rather than serving as an anchor store within the emerging regional malls of that era, S. Klein frequently established its outlets as outparcels situated near, yet physically separate from, the malls themselves. The majority of these stores were positioned throughout New York and New Jersey within the greater New York City metropolitan area. The chain's reach extended as far south as Alexandria, Virginia and included a location at Beltway Plaza in Greenbelt, Maryland. Additionally, S. Klein maintained a presence in the Philadelphia metropolitan area with stores on Roosevelt Boulevard, Marple-Springfield, and Cherry Hill. The Glenolden store was introduced following the acquisition of the former Topp's building.
Progressive downturn
By the mid-1970s, Rapid-American Corp., owned by Meshulam Riklis and also proprietor of the McCrory Stores dime-store chain, appeared to prioritize the real estate assets of S. Klein over its retail operations—a trajectory similar to that experienced by Two Guys in 1982. This shift led to the systematic closure of stores in groups. By 1978, all outlets under the S. Klein brand had ceased operations. The original flagship store located in Manhattan’s Union Square has since been replaced by the Zeckendorf Towers residential complex.
Remnants of S. Klein today
As of 2022, the annex building situated between 15th and 16th Streets, shown in a 1936 photograph above, still stands.
Much of the signage remained visible at S. Klein’s former downtown Newark, New Jersey site until its demolition. This property had been unoccupied since the store’s closure in 1976. The neon sign displayed in the 2008 image, bearing the words "S Klein, On The Square" alongside their signature neon carpenter’s square emblem, remained intact through 2012. Later that year, Newark’s planning board approved Prudential Insurance Company’s plan to construct a new 20-story office tower on the site of the former S. Klein building along with several other long-abandoned structures. The S. Klein building was demolished in late July 2013.
The last known surviving signage featuring the company name (as of 2013) is embedded as a tile mosaic in the entrance floor of a former store at 68 Clinton Street, New York City. This entrance now serves Pig and Khao, a Filipino dining establishment.
In popular culture
The musical Guys and Dolls references three department stores—"At Wanamaker's and Saks and Klein's"—in the song "Marry The Man."
In Bells Are Ringing, during the number "Drop That Name," Judy Holliday’s character surprises an elite audience by mentioning Klein’s and stating, "I do all my shopping there."
S. Klein is also cited in Season 2, Episode 7 of Mad Men.
Furthermore, Klein's appears in the 1966 dystopian novel Make Room! Make Room!, where one of their food sales triggers a riot.
References
External links
- Photographs of the Newark downtown store
- 1946 Acquisition by Grayson Shops [California] detailing the company’s background and operations
- Coverage from nj.com