In 1919, no section of Illinois experienced a population boom greater that Franklin County. Leading this escalation into a new decade was the coal camp of Zeigler, the energy capital of the county. The community, at that time, gave the appearance of a big over - grown boy about to spring into adulthood. From 1917 to 1919, Zeigler’s population blasted from 1500 to 3000 residents, a 100% growth, and the area exhibited employment opportunities to support a city of 5,000.
Due to the rapid growth of the coal industry, and the sinking of mine No. 2, the coal company needed scores of men to work. From 1914 until 1919, hundreds of men came to Zeigler, many without their families, due to inadequate housing. However, by 1919, families began arriving and with them the need for quality of life service.
Immediately, several regional merchants observed the urgent needs of the community and a business and enterprise migration to Zeigler began. Among the many new businesses to locate within the city was the Kohlsdorf and Sohn clothing store.
Max F. Kohlsdorf and David Sohn were young associates with the Good Luck clothing store in Herrin, Illinois. Upon conferring, they made the decision to come to boom town and seek their fortune. After all, Mine No. 1 employed 1,000 men and Mine No. 2, by the end of the year, would employ another 1,000 workers. Those numbers alone would create a huge market for work clothes – Osh Gosh B’Gosh.
After previewing several locations, a frame structure located on Church Street, a little more than a block north of the Circle, was selected for the towns newest mercantile center – Kohlsdorf & Sohn, Good Luck Clothing Company.
The business progressed well in the bustling coal community for the next few years. In fact, the partners began planning a new structure to be located on the Circle. One of the pressing issues for the construction was whether to erect a two or a three story building. Unfortunately, in 1924, that decision was made for the partners when their original location was destroyed by fire.
After some soul searching, Max and Dave made the decision to not build a new structure but, to move into an existing building on the corner of Church Street and the Circle – later known as Kohlsdorf’s Quality Corner. Soon after, a second impacting determination was made, to sever relations. David Sohn returned to Herrin where he founded a number of men’s clothing stores and Max Kohlsdorf remained in Zeigler where his business became a city leader.
For the next twenty or so years, the clothing store enjoyed the status of the favorite shopping center for local citizens – women as well as men. However, soon after World War II, the reputation of Kohlsdorf’s service became known through out the area and the small community department store quickly grew into a regional favorite – St. Louis to Cairo, river to river.
The Kohlsdorf family continued to operate the store until 1967. At that time, Max Kohlsdorf had passed away and his sons were ready to retire to a slower pace of life. An offer was made to Angelo Restivo to purchase the firm and he soon accepted the proposal. For the next 30 years, Mr. Restivo and his son Michael managed the business as it had been for the previous fifty years – quality service and product. In 1997, Mr. Restivo passed away and his son Michael assumed ownership and operation of Kohlsdorf’s.
Tragically, on February 20, 2006, a fire consumed the business, destroying the structure, the antique furnishings, and all the stock. For the first time in 87 years shoppers from many regions of Illinois could not come to Zeigler to purchase Hart, Schaffner & Marx suits, Florsheim shoes or an Arrow shirt. As Mayor Dennis Mitchell noted, “it is a rare commodity when a business is an ambassador for a city as Kohlsdorf’s has been for Zeigler”.
Dr. Allan Patton
© 2006
