Interview begins with discussion of Kornblut's parents, Leon (1881-1966) and Lizzie Schafer Kornblut (1886-1967). Leon Kornblut emigrated from Austria in 1902 and settled in Little Rock, South Carolina, changing the family name from Kornbuth to Kornblut. The Abraham Schafer family, originally from Oberheim, Germany, had four children, all born in Little Rock. Abraham Schafer operated several general stores which he gave to his children once they married. Leon Kornblut and Lizzie Schafer married in 1906 and became proprietors of the Latta, SC, store. Kornblut describes growing up in Latta and recalls that his was one of four Jewish families in the area. He attended the conservative synagogue in nearby Dillon, SC, and mentions that his parents did not keep a strict kosher household but did adhere to some traditions. He also recalls his father's efforts to bring family members from Austria to the U.S during the Holocaust. Interview continues with Kornblut's description of his grandfather's stores and how he often accompanied his father on buying trips to New York. A tangential discussion regarding Kornblut's recollection of Jewish control of New York's garment market follows. He recalls that Sephardic Jews in particular controlled the underwear and sportswear industry. Kornblut describes taking over the family business in Latta, meeting his wife and getting married (1950) at the House of Peace Synagogue in Columbia, SC. He discusses his siblings (brother Sigmond runs the family store in Dillon) and how they all married within the Jewish faith, and reminisces about changes in the retailing business and the decline of small Jewish-owned stores. He touches on his relationships with African-Americans over the years and maintains that Latta did not see much racial tension during the 1960s. Kornblut mentions some of his life accomplishments (32 years as Latta City Council member, past president of both Rotary and B'nai B'rith) and describes his children and their families. Interview ends with discussion of a local synagogue (Ohav Shalom) and how it closed in 1993 due to dwindling attendance. Kornblut also discusses the meaning of "a good Jewish home" and describes how he is Jewish first and Southern second.
