The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 225

ADVERTISEMENT STARRING BEN AND HARRY KRASS A- ,3 i Ill JiFjr 4 fcrrJn (vr A I i- I The KM ASS BEOS. STORY In 1948, while everybody was watching Rita Hayworth "put the blame on Mame" and marvelling at how Esther Williams could jump into swimming pools and still manage to emerge without a hair out of place (how DID she do three brothers Ben, Harry, and Jake Krass were concerning themselves with less mundane things. Actually, they were pouring over tweed swatches, ideas, and black coffee, carefully planning the now-famous landmark at 937 South St. Opening day was not as earth-shattering as when Jolson wished his tootsie goodbye, but the Krass Bros, knew they had a hit on their hands. Their store just needed some more work.

Three hundred swatches and 25 gallons of coffee later they began to see the light. It was Ben who came up with the idea Krass Bros, would be the country's first discount house with ONE STORE, ONE FLOOR, ONE PRICE, ONE DOLLAR PROFIT as its motto. Customers were beside themselves jamming the store and clammering for the merchandise it was not unlike one of the finales of an old MGM musical (like when Judy Garland met Louie in St. Louis) clang, clang, clang went the cash register! It was not uncommon to see Ben or Harry Krass fitting Joey Bishop for a suit or matching stories with Jackie Leonard. There are a lot of people Ben knew when (he knew Sammy Davis when he was still a Junior!) The clientele reads like a page out of Variety and Sports Illustrated: Buddy Greco, Willie Mays, Harlem Globe Trotters, Bobby Rydel, Chubby Checker, Joey Giardello, Johnny Mathis all bought their clothes at Krass Bros.

and still do, whenever they are in Philadelphia. In 1953, Ben and Harry Krass expanded their enterprise by opening a boy's department at 920 South St. With this, Krass Bros, became one of the biggest men's clothing stores in Philadelphia. Racks and racks of suits, sport coats, trousers, raincoats, and accessories line the store as far as the eye can see. Quality clothes sold at no profit makes Krass Bros, unique.

Twice a year Krass Bros, offer $1,000 reward, professing to pay that sum to anyone who proves that they net one penny profit on any garment advertised during their NO PROFIT SALE. Ben puts it this way: "If you didn't buy your clothes from us you've been robbed!" Ben Krass has indeed made a name for himself certainly in the clothing industry and now in his own television commercials. With his own special brand of personal fortitude, inventiveness, and integrity he realized his dreams. It's possible and he proved it. A 7.