Wechsler & Abraham

Wechsler & Abraham were dry goods merchants who operated a department store in Brooklyn, New York. Joseph Wechsler (1837-1896) and Abraham Abraham (1843-1911) formed their partnership in 1865. The firm reorganized in 1893, when Wechsler retired. Isidor Straus, Nathan Straus and Simon F. Rothschild joined as partners with Abraham, and the business was renamed Abraham & Straus.

From the description of Wechsler & Abraham private trial balance ledger, 1886-1952, bulk 1886-1903. (Harvard Business School). WorldCat record id: 423751395

Abraham & Straus was a major department store founded in Brooklyn by Abraham Abraham and Joseph Wechsler in 1865. Originally called Wechsler & Abraham and located at 285 Fulton Street, the store was so successful that it moved to a new and larger location at the corner of Fulton and Hoyt Streets in 1885. The name of the store changed to Abraham & Straus in 1893 when the Straus family, partners of Macy's department stores, bought out Wechsler's interest in the store. By 1965, Abraham & Straus had become the third largest department store in the United States, with several branches in and surrounding the New York City area in addition to its flagship location at Fulton and Hoyt Streets. The store became part of Macy's department stores in 1995. As of 2011, the original Abraham & Straus location on Fulton and Hoyt Streets continues to operate under the Macy's name.

From the guide to the Abraham & Straus collection, Bulk, 1964-1965, 1865-1995, (Brooklyn Historical Society)