18 Facts About Franklin Simon

The store was founded in February 1902, when Simon partnered with Herman A Flurscheim.

Franklin Simon was born on New York City's Lower East Side in 1865 to Henri and Helene Simon.

One of the store's principals, Louis Stern, befriended young Franklin Simon, teaching him the "ropes" of dry goods.

In 1892, Franklin Simon married Frances Carroll, the daughter of a New York City sheriff.

Franklin Simon employed visionary artists such as Norman Bel Geddes and Donald Deskey.

Franklin Simon was the first Fifth Avenue merchant to offer on-site parking for his customers, a plan he devised himself.

Franklin Simon was the first merchant to suggest the use of outlet stores as a way to sell out of season merchandise.

In 1932, Franklin Simon opened his first expansion in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Franklin Simon was a regular contributor to The New York Times One Hundred Neediest Cases.

Franklin Simon published the little girls' picture in major newspapers with the hope of finding their family.

Franklin Simon insured they had whatever they needed at no cost.

Civic minded, Mr Franklin Simon was elected chairman of the centennial committee to save Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home; bound for demolition if not for Mr Franklin Simon's efforts.

Franklin Simon was the director of the Hospital for Joint Diseases and a member of the board of governors of the Stuyvesant Square Hospital.

Franklin Simon was a member of the Empire State Luncheon Club, Westchester Country Club, Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Uptown Club and the National Democratic Club.

Franklin Simon died in his country home at Purchase, New York on October 4,1934, from kidney failure.

Franklin Simon's funeral was a grand affair, with Governor Herbert Lehman sending his condolences and arranging a funeral cortege along the Hutchinson River Parkway.

At the time of his death, Franklin Simon left a gross estate of approximately $2,394,751 to his wife.

Mr Franklin Simon is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, in the Bronx.