At the age of 16, in 1907, Louis Friedlander (1891-1975) came to Colquitt County and began a business of peddling sundries to local farmers, first on foot and later with a mule and wagon. He opened a small store at this location in 1908, known originally as the Bargain Store but soon thereafter changed to Friedlander’s. He built this structure in 1936, even though the community was suffering immensely from the ravages of the Great Depression, and it became one of the most successful retailers in South Georgia. A recent restoration reinforces the importance of this local landmark, a fine example of Art Deco architecture.
Many Moultrie folks have great memories of Friedlander’s. Fay Brock writes: I worked in the office at Friedlander’s from November 1967 until August 1970. I loved my time spent there, I really learned a lot working for this family owned and operated business. The books from all of the stores were kept in this main location. There were about 6 or 7 stores in Georgia and two in Daytona Beach, Florida. They gave me my first real job, and I will be forever grateful that they had enough faith in me to give me the opportunity. Judy Plymel recalls: wow..if this store could talk.. bought so many cool clothes here.. my first prom dress.. when I was a little girl.. my Easter shoes.. Easter dress on occasion.. it was 3 stories.. and the only one in town with an elevator for many years.. such a cool store at the time.. I can add that my hometown of Fitzgerald also had a Friedlander’s store when I was a boy. My great aunt, Gladys Brown, worked there for many years and visiting her was always a treat.
Moultrie Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
This thankfully was part of a downtown square revitalization that restored this to it’s own beauty. Wish everyone has the resources to do it. Our house here in Berlin is made of Lincoln log structure. I had to go in and underneath because the weight of anything over time caused strain and this I have to strategically fix. But man oh man the history these places have witnessed over time
Irwin Friedlander was my Stepfather…from the 80’s to late 90’s. (Friedy)! Miss him so much!
So glad to see this old landmark honored in this way. I remember buying my first dress at Friedlander’s. I was expensive and my mother said, “Better to have one quality dress than two or three that aren’t as well made.” Thank you for the memories.
If I am correct there were five stores under Louis Friedlander and Son, Inc.. Locations were Douglas, Fitzgerald, Albany, Adel and Thomasville as I remember. The Moultrie store was under Friedlander Corp. Two stores in Daytona Beach, Florida, Linden’s Vogue and The Smart Shoppe. Another store in Columbus run by Irwin Friedlander.
What a classic find!