BACON COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – A huge milestone for an Alma Family owned business, Cohen’s of Alma celebrated 100 years in the community Saturday.
The department store was formed by Nathan Cohen, who was shipped off to America from what is now modern-day Ukraine at just 13-years-old.
Despite his young age and being separated from his family and home country, Nathan made a name for himself and the Cohen’s for years to come.
WTOC shares how the Alma and Bacon County community came together to honor Nathan’s legacy.
“Very few families can have a legacy like the Cohens of Alma,” said Carole Jackson Cohen, Daughter-in-law.
The Cohens, who’s family name will forever leave a lasting impact on the town of Alma, and Bacon County.
“There were five or six Jewish stores when I married in 59,” said Cohen.
Now in 2024 only one remains.
But this one family owned business—proves big things can come in small packages.
Cohen’s is an anchor to our downtown, has been for nearly 100 years,” said Alma Mayor, Larry Taylor.
The story of Cohen’s started 100 years ago, when Nathan Cohen’s mother shipped him off to America at just 13-years-old sending him to Nicholls, Georgia to stay with family.
“He persevered and peddled and saved his money and, you know, started our business a hundred years ago. And then it was able to bring his mother and his two sisters, um, to this country, you know, after world war one,” said owner Mark Cohen.
Eventually making it to Alma and purchased what is now Cohen’s department store
Not just surviving, but thriving, despite anti-Semitic hate thrown his way.
“My grandfather was elected mayor back in the early sixties when, you know, in the South, it was hard for a Jewish man to, you know, to survive sometimes much less get elected to a public official,” said Mark Cohen.
Now 100 years later, Nathan’s grandchildren and great grandchildren are continuing his legacy of giving back to the community that gave him, a new chance at life.
Not only is Cohen’s of Alma 100 years old and still going strong, but just a few blocks away, the street where Nathan’s previous home still stands will always serve as a reminder of his impact on this community.
“Where Mr. Nathan lived, we renamed that street to Nathan Cohen Way,” said Mayor Taylor.
Something everyone in the town can agree on, you cannot mention Alma without mentioning the Cohen’s.
“Without their support, you know, we, we wouldn’t be here,” said Mark Cohen.
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