Mikulski Visits Morstein's Jewelers and Tarlow Furs Ltd. to Thank Small Business Owners for Years of Service to Greater Baltimore Community

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) this past Friday visited two Baltimore family-owned small businesses, Morstein's Jewelers and Tarlow Furs, Ltd. to thank their owners for decades of service to the greater Baltimore community. Morstein's has been open for business in Baltimore since 1898. Tarlow's has been open for business on Charles Street since 1939. Both stores are preparing to close their doors in the coming weeks.

"As a Baltimore native and the daughter of small business owners, I know the importance of small businesses in helping to weave the social fabric of their communities," Senator Mikulski said. "Morstein's and Tarlow's have been Baltimore mainstays for decades. Through the Great Depression and the riots of 1968, these businesses survived and thrived, always putting customer service first and giving back to the communities that supported them. My most sincere thanks to the Morstein family for over a century of making Baltimore sparkle. And a special thanks to the Tarlows for two generations of excellence."

During her afternoon visit, Senator Mikulski presented signed certificates from the United States Senate to store owners Jules (Sonny) Morstein and David Tarlow and thanked them for the years of service they and their families have provided to the greater Baltimore community.

According to Morstein's Jewelers, Morstein's is a third generation family-owned business operating in Baltimore since 1898 and is the oldest jewelry store in Baltimore City. Jules (Sonny) Morstein has been an appraiser and gemologist for forty years. His grandfather, William Morstein, established the shop as a watchmaker in East Baltimore. Morstein's is located in Historic Federal Hill just south of Harborplace at 1114 Light Street and has offered services such as jewelry design, restringing, sizing, gem replacement, watch repair and purchase of estate jewelry.

According to Tarlow Furs, Ltd., Tarlow's has been a family business in Baltimore since the 1920s specializing in authentic hand-made fur coats and hats. The store, owned by David Tarlow, was founded by his parents Benjamin Tarlow and Fannye Tarlow. The elegant and tailored Fannye became known as the "Lady of Charles Street." They opened shops on Park Heights Avenue and in the Roland Park Shopping Center, but moved to at 337 N. Charles St. in 1939. The store has become part of the fabric of N. Charles St, and Mr. Tarlow's customers and neighbors have expressed their sorrow in his closing.

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