Summary(01:15) Brothers Bernie, Jerry and Harry Lefenfeld opened their first store on Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway in the late 1930s. Jerry ran the store during WWII, supporting their 3 families -- (05:00) Later, they opened the Field Brothers store on Kings Highway, selling suits, sports clothes and general clothing. Strong relationships with vendors allowed the business to expand. The store became a main source for men's clothing on Kings Highway, for mainly Jewish and Italian clientele -- (09:15) The Brothers are described by family as self-made men and good businessmen. They opened new stores in Rego Park and Roosevelt Field, Long Island in the 1960s -- (11:00) Howard, son of Harry, studied business and law, worked full time at the store. The stores were sold to Hartmax and "squashed the entrepreneurial spirit of the original owners." Howard became reporting officer. Bored, he opened own store -- (15:15) Fields Brothers were part of the neighborhood shopping experience in 1950s through 1960s -- (17:20) Howard attended Midwood High school, lived in Brooklyn until married. Italian and Jewish kids played together in the streets after school. Wonderful time growing up in Brooklyn and working in store -- (21:10) Got first hand business education from father and uncle -- (24:50) Fond memories of store staff and customers.
NoteTitle supplied by cataloger. Audio interview conducted online 2021 May 21, by Ariane Loeb. Collected through the Brooklyn Collection Jewish History Project of Brooklyn Public Library. This project is funded by the David Berg Foundation.
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TitleLefenfeld family/Field Brothers store collection. Oral history interview with Howard Lefenfeld on May 21, 2021.
Biographical NoteField Brothers department stores first opened on Kings Highway in the 1950s, with other locations opening in Brooklyn, Queens (Rego Park) and Long Island through o the late 1970s when the stores were sold to Hartmax Company. Originally founded by the Lefenfeld brothers, Bernie, Harry and Jerry, the stores were not only a Brooklyn family story but a Brooklyn shopping experience. Interviews in this Lefenfeld collection are from the children of two founding brothers Bernard and Howard Lefenfeld.