Evening star., 1932-01-12
KANN'S BUYS SAKS;
LEASES OLD STORE
Deal Involves Two of Wash.
ington's Long-EstabIished
Mercantile Businesses.

S. Kann Sons Co., which operates
the department store at Eighth street
and Market space, just above Pennsyl-
vania avenue, has bought the business
of It's neighbor. Saks & Co., and has
taken a 10-year lease on its property,
at Seventh street and Market space,
it was announced today.
Both concerns have long been es-
tablished on their present locations and
the formation of both organizations
dates back for more than IS years.
The Saks Building Is to be remod-
eled throughout and made part of
the merchandising space of Kann's,
to be used for the establishment Of
new departments of the concern and
for expansion of existing phases of its
operation.
Alterations Planned.
The building taken over by Kann's
in the transaction has a frontage of
so feet on Market space and of lis
feet on Seventh street, providing
total area of about $500 square feet on
each floor When remodeling and al
terations are completed, in three or
four months, Kann'S property will have
a total area per floor of $1,000 square
feet
The firm of S. Kann Sons Co. was
established in business in Baltimore
about 70 years ago and has been 10
nf4I i, 10 h rtY,rr fNyN fnr~ tNn OCT
years. 1t was founded by Solomon
Kann and his three sons, Louis, Sig
mund and Simon Kann. The Baiti-
more store was discontinued in 1902.
The firm now employees about 1000 per-
sons.
The present officers of Kann's are ST.
mon Kann, president; B. Bernei Bur-
gunder vice president and treasurer,
and Sol Kann, secretary.
Kann's several years ago purchased
the Homer Building, on Thirteenth
street, and G streets. This property,
it Is announced, is being retained by
Kann's as the site for future develop
ment, the concern to remain at its
present expanded location overlooking
Pennsylvania avenue under the 10
year lease there.
The current transaction marks the
retirement of Saks & Co. from the local
field, its name having been bought by
Kann'S.
Established IS Years Ago.
Sixty-five years ago small sign was
swung across the sidewalk In front OF
308 Seventh street bearing the name
of Andrew Saks. This was the parent
concern of the various establishments
of Saks & Co. since organized in New
York and other cities. Isadore Saks
joined his brother in 1878 in this busi-
ness, then removed to 316 Seventh
street, and in 1885 the firm returned
to 308 Seventh street, where the pres
ent building stands. George C. Hen
ming then associated with the business
to retire later to enter the banking
business Joseph I. Saks, son of
Isadore Saks, later was admitted to. the
merchandising firm. Isaac Cans, treas
urer and general manager of Saks, has
been associated with the firm since
1901.
Mr.. Cans said today every President
of the United States during the past
IS years has been numbered among
patrons of the concern, In addition to
members Of Congress and the diplo-
matte corps.
No decision has been made, 1t was
explained this morning, as to future
employment of the present staff of Saks
SS Co., numbering about 1875. Saks has
the privilege of operating until April l..
1t was stated at Kann'S store, how
ever, that the increased space of the
consolidated store would necessitate a
larger force