In addition to being Chester Herwitz’ business partner in Davey’s handbags, how was Davida related to him?
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WBJ has partnered with the Worcester Historical Museum to run a year-long trivia contest in celebration of the 300th anniversary of Worcester’s founding on June 14, 1722. Readers should email their answer to the question below by Oct. 13 to bkane@wbjournal.com or complete the Google Form below to compete for a special year-end prize package.
Davey’s bags
The picture shows bags made by Davey’s, a longtime Worcester institution founded in 1953 and closed in 1999.
The founder of Davey’s was Charles “Chester” Herwitz. Born in Swampscott in 1927, he began his career in Worcester as the owner of Davey’s Retail Store at 47 Pleasant St. In his spare time, he handmade belts and sandals in the basement of the shop. The products became so popular Herwitz closed the store and switched to making leather goods full time. The new business, like its predecessor, was named for Chester’s business partner Davida. Eventually the business specialized in handbags, while also producing women’s skirts and dresses under the Cottage Tailor Label. Davey’s products were sold in department stores across the country such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, and Bloomingdale’s. At its height, Davey’s consisted of 200 employees and had offices in New York City and Los Angeles.
Trivia question: In addition to being Chester Herwitz’ business partner, how was Davida related to him?
And the answers to last edition’s question: The names of the Shrewsbury Street restaurants housed inside Worcester Lunch Car Co. diners are the Boulevard Diner and the Parkway Diner.
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