Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

Skip to content

Kaufman’s was a fine Louisville, KY department store carrying women’s clothing, furs, linens and menswear, founded by Henry Kaufman in 1879 on Jefferson St. between 7th and 8th. In 1883 Benjamin Straus became a partner and the name was changed to Kaufman-Straus Dry Goods. In 1887, Kaufman-Straus moved to 4th St. Their six story downtown Louisville location at 427-437 South 4th St. was built in 1903 by local Louisville architect Mason Maury on the site of the original public library. They occupied this store until 1971. By 1901, Kaufman-Straus & Co. also had a location in Lexington, Ky. Kaufman-Straus was bought in 1924 by the City Stores Buying Group.

In addition to clothing, they also sold dry goods, lace, embroideries, millinery, shoes, draperies, corsets, hosiery, china, cut glass, pictures, books, jewelry, stationary, men’s wear and house furnishings. The name was shortened in advertising to Kaufman’s by 1946, but both names continued to be used into the 1950s. Kaufman’s of Kentuckiana was occasionally used in advertising. In 1960, Kaufman-Straus officially became Kaufman’s of Kentucky. However, this was still often shortened to Kaufman’s in ads and on labels. The Dixie Manor store opened in 1958. An anchor store in The Mall St. Matthews called Kaufman’s of Kentucky opened in 1962. In December of 1969, Kaufman’s was sold to Ayres and the name changed yet again. The 4th St. building is now part of 4th Street Live.

Written by Hollis Jenkins-Evans


from a 1900s-1920s dress - Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1900s-1920s dress

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1949 Lilli Ann suit - Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1949 Lilli Ann suit

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s necktie - Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s necktie

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s Moordale suit - Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s Moordale suit

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s necktie - Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s necktie

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans