Jos. Kuhn & Co.

1865 clothing advertisement showing clothes coming express to Kuhn’s in Champaign from New York City.

Kuhn’s first store, The Emporium, located at 33 Main St., Champaign.

33 E. Main St., Champaign

(1865-Today)

Jos. Kuhn & Co. was established by Joseph Kuhn, who was born in Germany in 1837. After living near New Orleans, he moved to Champaign in 1865 and established his store, The Emporium, located at 33 Main St. The store was one of the largest in Champaign’s business district and occupied the first floor of the building. Kuhn, his wife, Lena Loeb Kuhn (1843-1906), and son, Isaac Kuhn (1866-1956), lived on the second floor.

Kuhn's The College Book_SAMPLE INTERIOR.jpg

Kuhn's "The College" book (interior)

With the business district expanding, Kuhn decided to move his store to a larger space at 45 Main St. However, this wooden building was destroyed by fire in 1872. Kuhn reopened in 1873 in a newly constructed two-story brick building with a prominent glass window containing a gold star prompting the new name The Star Clothing House. In 1888, the store’s name changed once again to Jos. Kuhn & Son, in honor of Isaac buying a $400 interest in the store. The store’s final name was not seen until 1907 when it was incorporated as Jos. Kuhn & Co.

Following Joseph Kuhn’s death in 1915, Isaac gained full control of the business. Isaac remained in charge of the business with help from his son-in-law, attorney B.B. Wiese, until his death in 1956. With Isaac’s death, Wiese assumed control of the store. In 1981, Dr. William D. Youngerman, grandson of Isaac Kuhn, bought the business from B.B. Wiese and Helen Kuhn Wiese, and remains in control to this day (2019).

Jos. Kuhn & Son storefront in 1900. Joseph Kuhn is the furthest on the left and Isaac Kuhn is fifth from the right.

In 1919, Jos. Kuhn & Co. became the first clothier to accept a shipment of clothing from a commercial airplane. The plane flew Society Brand clothes down from Chicago. Isaac Kuhn is pictured fifth from the right.

Rear of Jos. Kuhn & Co. store at 33 E. Main St. circa 1975 with Kuhn’s slogan “Unmatched in 118.5 miles.” It should be noted that Indianapolis is 119 miles away.

Advertisement for Kuhn’s second store The Star Clothing House, 45 Main St., Champaing. The Star Clothing House opened in 1873 after The Emporium was destroyed by fire in 1872.