Glens Falls in 1946 — Feigenbaum Cleaners
Seven businesses took out display ads in The Post-Star on Dec. 16, 1946 to congratulate Feigenbaum Cleaners on the opening of a new plant.
“Feigenbaum’s, the city’s oldest dry cleaning establishment, with 30 years of experience, has announced the opening of a new modern plant with entrances at 3 Fulton Street and 89 Bay Street,” The Post-Star reported. “With floor space increased six times and the introduction of machinery which has been developed since the end of the war, the firm is now capable of giving better and more rapid service then ever.”
The new plant was across Fulton Street from where Feigenbaum Cleaners, now in its third generation of ownership, still operates.
The congratulatory businesses were Hollister’s Plumbing and Heating; John Haven & Son, a dry cleaning equipment and chemical supplier; A. Mindell & Sons, a Schenectady dry cleaning supply company; Clayton G. Woodbury & Son, a building materials retailer; Columbia Appliance Co.; Nathan Proller Insurance; and General Floor Covering.
“The opening of our new and enlarged establishment is an important milestone in our business,” Feigenbaum advertised in the same issue. “These larger quarters, necessitated by an increasing clientele, is an appropriate means of observing our thirty years of conscientious effort and whole hearted endeavor to give you quality service and satisfaction.”
Herman Feigenbaum, a tailor who emigrated from Austria-Hungary in 1902 and later settled in Glens Falls established the business in 1917.
“They were heading to Whitehall,” but got off the train to stay overnight in Glens Falls and never left, Todd Feigenbaum, grandson of Hermon, told The Post-Star in 2017
“Then he discovered there was no dry cleaner north of Albany,” so he diversified his tailoring venture and opened Feigenbaum Cleaners.
A June 14, 1918 advertisement in The Post-Star touted, “Feigenbaum, the Bay Street tailor, is fast demonstrating his ability to please customers. Mr. Feigenbaum cleans, presses and repairs men’s and women’s clothing. He also is in the market to buy second-hand clothing for cash.”
Feigenbaum advertised the business as “A Clothes Hospital” in The Post-Star on Sept. 11, 1918.
“If your clothes need cleaning, repairing or pressing, take them to Feigenbaum, Bay Street. You will find his prices lower than those charged by some other tailors. … Mr. Feigenbaum is a tailor of many years’ experience.”
Earlier in 1946, Feigenbaum Cleaners was among the businesses that contributed to a fund to start the Glens Falls Comets, a semi-professional football team.
