The Washington times., 1924-03-18
HAHN COMPANY
. SPREADS OVER
DISTRICT
Had One Shoe Store When
1t Placed First Ad in Times
80 Years Ago.

From q one-story shoe store in
the old First ward" to a chain Of
six high-class booteries catering to
custom In five different localities in
Washington AMI one in Baltimore,
the William Hahn Shoe Company is
today one of, the outstanding firms
OF its kind in the National Capital.
Thirty years ago this company
was eighteen years old, having been
founded by William Hahn in 1876.
Thirty years ago the William Hahn
Shoe Company was a progressive
and enterprising firm, as is evi.
denced by the fact that It was the
only shoe company that advertised
in the first issue Of The Washington
Times and is still doing business.
After clerking in the shoe store
or his uncle who conducted the well.
known Heilbrun Shoe Store, on Sew.
enth street, which for many years
displayed a large model Of 1.-THE old
woman who lived in a shoe" as it's
sign. William Hahn, an establish
ment Of his own at 1922 Pennsylva-
MIA avenue. He was q bright and
alert business man, had completely
learned the shoe trade and his bust.
ness in the First ward" was a sue.
cess from the start.
Take Grandchildren There.
The name Of William Hahn il
fVp 10
as the business has been located in
pennsylvania avenue block between
Nineteenth and Twentieth streets
for almost half century. In the
west end section today one can fire.
quently see grandfathers who bought
their shoes from the William Hahn
Company. taking their grandchildren
into the company's present store at
1914 Pennsylvania avenue.
Readily realizing that Seventh
street was destined to become one
OF the chief arteries of traffic IN
Washington and a commercial cen.
ter with a great future, William
Hahn established a second store on
that thoroughfare near X street.
The company consisted of William
Hahn. Morris Hahn and S. Fred
Hahn.
For many years the company
transacted business below X street.
while Wilson's Grocery store stood
on the corner. In 1898 the corner
location was acquired and on this
site the William Hahn Compan,
erected its present four-story brick
structure.
Many Stores Now.
For more than a quarter of q
century this building has been an
ornament to Seventh street and as.
ISOLATED in the public mind with
standard shoe quality at proper
prices, plus that intimate touch Of
personal service and courtesy upon
which the founders established il.
At the time it was constructed as
a monument to business growth ana
public confidence, the Hahn Build.
ing commanded attention because OF
its height. architectural lines and
the fact that 1t had a large tower
containing a huge clock visible for
many blocks.
In addition to the original storA
in Pennsylvania avenue and the
Seventh and K street establishment
the company today has stores al
23S Pennsylvania avenue southeast.
1913 G street northwest and All
Ninth street in Washington, and 81
West Lexington street, Baltimore
The stores handle the widest variety
Of shoes. slippers. etc. and, although
the famous William Hahn standards
and traditions are preserved in ali,
each establishment has its own in.
dividuality and it's own clientele. II
has long been traditional in Wash.
ington that "Once a Hahn patron
always a Hahn patron"
The present members OF the VIII.
liam Hahn Company are Morris
Hahn, s. Fred Hahn, Harry W.
Hahn and Edwin Hahn.
Are You reading Helen ROwland's
witticisms on the magazine mage?