Maxwell Grosweiner
Maxwell Grosweiner came to Saint John from Poland in the early 20th century. He was a ladies’ tailor at 625 Main Street from the 1910s to the 1930s. He moved his store to Charlotte Street by 1939 and rebranded the shop as the NuMode. He was making and selling women’s suits, dresses and coats before expanding in to the ready to wear side of things.
He resided at 74 Summer Street with his wife Ida and his children – a son, Sidney – and three daughters – Dora (Siegerman), Rose (Garfield) and Esther.
Advertisement for M. Grosweiner – The Evening Times Globe, September 18, 1937
Ida Rubin Grosweiner
Ida Rubin Grosweiner was the daughter of Nathan and Dora Rubin. She was known to have given unselfishly of herself, often making clothes with several other ladies of the community for those in need.
The family made the newspaper on August 23, 1928 when their home was damaged by fire: “A two-story dwelling, 74 to 76 Summer Street, owned by Max Grosweiner and occupied by himself, his family and Maurice Margolian, was badly damaged by fire, as was an adjoining woodshed on Wednesday afternoon. Kitchen, dining room, closets and a small bedroom were burned, also the upper story of the woodshed.”
Sidney Grosweiner (1910-1990)
Sidney Grosweiner (1910-1990) was born in Saint John He was a store clerk for David Bassen and Mr. Margolian in the late 1920s and then worked in a clothing store until he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on May 20, 1943. He served for a year as a wireless operator in Saint John, Ottawa and Halifax. After the war he went into a partnership with his father and opened Nu Mode Ladies’ Apparel at 70-72 Charlotte Street.
Advertisement for NuMode – The Evening Times Globe, April 29, 1947
His daughter Susan recalled: “NuMode carried higher-end ladies’ wear and was on a par with Dreskins. He had a bridal boutique and a children’s department at different times. My mother helped in the store until the business closed. … I remember watching the Queen Elizabeth from NuMode’s upper window. He was somehow involved in the local Easter parade. I also used to get paid .25 an hour to help in the store and watch for theft. … Dad loved the store and the business and unfortunately gave people too much credit when they couldn’t pay. Those were the days before Chargex and VISA. That was the downfall of the store!”
Sidney and Ella Grosweiner
After the store closed, Sidney Grosweiner sold life insurance through Sun Life.
He was active in the Saint John community and in Jewish life, including as president of the YMHA and as a member of the board of Congregation Shaarei Zedek, the B’nai B’rith Lodge and the Jewish Community Players. He served terms as President of the Saint John and Maritime Jaycees and the Saint John Merchants Association (1955) and was an officer in the Masonic Lodge.
He married Ella Lesser on May 5, 1943 just before leaving to enlist in the Air Force.
Ella Grosweiner
Ella Lesser (1921-1993)
Ella Lesser (1921-1993) was the daughter of Alexander and Bessie Lesser and had two brothers – Dr. Arthur and Dr. Joseph. She was active in the artistic life of Saint John as a member of Saint John Theatre Guild (stage manager and set builder), Saint John Arts Council, New Brunswick Museum, New Brunswick Historical Society and Saint John Women’s Symphony Committee, among others. In 1961 and 1962, she was president of the Local Council of Women. Under her guidance, the Local Council of Women lent its support to the Saint John College Development Corporation, supporting the founding of UNB Saint John, and campaigned for votes for women in municipal elections.
She was the first Cultural Affairs Officer of the City of Saint John, a position she held from 1979 until her retirement in 1986. In that role she created and nurtured the City Gallery in the Saint John Arts Centre. In 1992, she was awarded a Canada 125 Medal as part of the celebration of Canada’s 125th birthday. She was also involved with the restoration projects for the Imperial Theatre and the New City Theatre Company.
Martin and Susan Grosweiner
Sidney and Ella Grosweiner had two children – Susan, who became a teacher in Saint John and Alberta schools and Martin, who worked for the Province of New Brunswick as a photographer and was well-known for taking portraits and panoramic photographs of groups and the natural world.
References:
Louis I. Michelson Archives and Research and Exhibition Files, Saint John Jewish Historical Museum
Marcia Koven – Weaving the Past Into the Present (Saint John: 1989 and 2008)
The Evening Times Globe / The Telegraph Journal (Saint John newspapers)
This project is made possible with funding from the Archaeology and Heritage Branch, Province of New Brunswick through their Exhibit Renewal Digital Component program and the unwavering support of the Jewish families who made Saint John their home.
