page_title: Loeb's (department store)
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Loeb's (department store) / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Alex Loeb Building Meridian, MS
context_page_description: Loeb's Inc. is an American department store based in Meridian, Mississippi. Loeb's was founded in 1887 by Alex Loeb as Alex Loeb, Inc. Today, Loeb's legal name is "LOEB'S, INC." Loeb's is located on Front Street, Meridian.
context_section_description: Alex Loeb was a merchant in Meridian in the late 19th century. Loeb emigranted from Germany and moved to Meridian from Columbus, Mississippi to open his first store. Alex Loeb was the first Loeb in Meridian, brought to the United States from Germany by his brother, Simon Loeb, who preceded him in Columbus. Born in Bavaria, Simon Loeb arrived in Columbus in 1867. 
  In 1874, he created the store with his younger brother, Julius. They sold dry goods, clothing, and shoes. Although Simon arrived in Columbus with little money, he and his brother eventually became successful merchants.
  During Meridian's "golden age" in the early 20th century, it was said that respectable railroad workers would only wear clothes from Alex Loeb's store. The well-dressed Loeb was a colorful character known for his white mustache, ever-present cigar, and hospitable personality; he would personally welcome each customer as he or she entered the store. Alex Loeb's son, Abraham Marshall Loeb, and his brother Henry S. Loeb took over the business after their father. The business then passed to A. Marshall Loeb's son, Robert Switzer Loeb Sr., and his brother Alexander Marshall Loeb. The two brothers Robert and Alex acquired the Marks-Rothenberg Co. department store on 6th Street during the 1970s and ran the business until the late 1970s when the business was sold to Zale Corporation.
  In the year 1988 Robert S. Loeb, Jr. returned to Meridian after working in buying management at Parisian department store in Birmingham, Alabama. It was Robert's vision to bring the clothing tradition back to Meridian. Today, Loeb's is operated by Robert S. Loeb Jr., and the business continues on Front Street in Downtown Meridian. Under Robert Jr.'s leadership the business model has transformed into an outdoor and lifestyle inspired store.
caption: The Alex Loeb building. Painted signage on left side of Loeb's previous location on 5th Street in Meridian, Mississippi.
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