Kaiser Tobacco
Businesses that are run by families that have lasted for generations reach a point where their thoughts are always focused on the long-term future . The leader of the family , often the business leader , puts the family ’ s future interests over immediate short term returns . The longer the business continues the larger the value of the family name and the business ’ care for its descendants .
Kaiser Tobacco Store and Kaiser Wholesale is considered to be the oldest business in New Albany . The store stands as one of the oldest businesses in the state . The Kaiser Tobacco Store also boasts of being one of the last real tobacco stores in the country .
Founded in 1832 , just sixteen years after Indiana ’ s statehood , Kaiser ’ s is in its seventh generation of ownership . The original owner was David Gorlitz , the current owner ’ s Great , Great , Great , Great Step- Grandfather . The business has been in the same family and at the same location since its establishment .
Imagine the magnitude of this achievement . Andrew Jackson would be elected to a second-term of office as President in 1832 almost thirty years before the Civil War . The luxuries of life today were only shadowy dreams in the minds of a few . The typewriter would not be invented until 1875 , the telephone the following year . The light bulb would not shed light until 1906 . The television wasn ’ t invented until 1927 . The greatest invention since sliced bread couldn ’ t appear until after 1928 . Entertainment choices were few .
But a person could relax at the end of the day by enjoying the flavors and scents of a well-prepared tobacco product . Kaiser ’ s could be the source of their entertainment .
Brothers , Louie ( left ) and Jack ( right ) Kaiser , enjoy a cigarette and a pipe while their father , William Kaiser , puffs on a cigar .
The present building on Pearl Street was constructed in 1886 and continues to be the home of the Tobacco Store . At one time both the retail and wholesale outlets were kept within the same location , but growth and a need for space prompted the expansion . Kaiser Wholesale was established at a facility on Oak Street .
Three sons in the Kaiser ’ clan operate
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Family Owned & Operated Since 1832
( 812 ) 945-5671
326 PEARL ST NEW ALBANY , INDIANA