Did you know that Levi Strauss began his career on the Lower East Side?

Did you know that Levi Strauss began his career on the Lower East Side?

In 1847, at age 18, Levi Strauss (born Leob Strauss, February 26, 1829) left his native home in Bavaria to join his older brothers in NYC, who owned a wholesale dry goods store on the Lower East Side.

By 1853, young Levi received an offer to partner with a businessman who opened a dry goods store in San Fransisco a few years prior. Loaded with goods from the Lower East Side store, Levi packed up and headed to California to take advantage of the booming gold rush industry.

Levi tried to sell canvass he brought from New York, but the material proved to be too thin for tents and wagon covers — so instead he had a tailor create pants from the material.

Eventually Levi’s product became so popular that he had his brothers send him more material, but instead of canvass, they sent him denim — and the rest is history.

Happy 186th birthday Levi Strauss!

Walk this history: the streets in this article are on the route of our Jewish Lower East Side Walking Tour, a private walking tour led by historians and lifelong locals. Private tours run daily on request — $150 for one hour / $300 for two hours per group. To book, visit leshp.org or call (347) 465-7767.

Eric Ferrara

Eric is a 4th generation Lower East Sider, professional NYC history author, movie & TV consultant, and founder of Lower East Side History Project.