Introduction
Harry Pinsky came to the United States from Russia in the late 1880s. He opened up a furniture store in Camden in 1891, which his son Reuben became head of in 1906. The business was located at 1128 Broadway when the 1914 City Directory was compiled.
Business was good after World War I. In 1923 the Pinskys purchased Wildey Hall, at the corner of South 6th and Pine Streets, and converted it into warehouse space. In 1924, the new Pinsky Store building, a five story structure at 836–840 Broadway, the corner of Broadway & Spruce Street, opened for business. The Pinsky building was later acquired by a furniture business called Whitehill, which operated there through the late 1940s. By 1936 the Pinsky Store moved to 921 Broadway. This building was later acquired by Joseph DiMona Sr. a few years later. The Pinsky Store moved once again, to 941 Broadway. The business had closed by 1950.
On June 1, 1950 the former Pinsky Store reopened as the thirteenth store in the Stern department store chain, founded in 1897 by Louis Stern, Leon Levy, and Louis Schneider. The Stern Store remained at 836–840 Broadway into the 1960s.
Another Pinsky, Ralph M., also operated a furniture store in Camden, at 1222 Broadway. This business operated in Camden until at least 1977.
H. Pinsky & Son Company, 836–840 Broadway, Camden.
Delivery Truck — June 26, 1915
Harry Pinsky & Son Co. Delivery Truck — June 26, 1915.
1919 Advertisement
H. Pinsky & Son 1919 advertisement in the Jefferson Athletic Association First Annual Grand Ball Program.
Opening Day at the Pinsky Store — 1924
Opening Day at the Pinsky Store, Broadway & Spruce Street — 1924.
Pinsky Store Building
Camden Courier-Post —
H. Pinsky & Son Company. — Camden Courier-Post, February 23, 1928.
Pinsky Store Advertisement
Camden Courier-Post —
H. Pinsky & Son Company. — Camden Courier-Post, June 15, 1932.
Broadway Looking Northwest from Newton Avenue — 1940s
Looking northwest on Broadway from Newton Avenue — 1940s. Pinsky’s at 941 Broadway can be seen at the top of the photo.
Stern Store Opens at Pinsky Location
Camden Courier-Post —
Stern department store at 836–840 Broadway. — Camden Courier-Post, June 1, 1950.
Broadway & Spruce Street — September 18, 1951
Broadway, looking north at the intersection of Spruce Street, September 18, 1951.
The vertical “HURLEY’S” sign can be seen on the left side of the street. Collins, at left, was at that location from the 1930s. The “STERN” building was originally the H. Pinsky & Son Co.