Lou Rappaport

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Lou Rappaport
Born(1902-10-02)October 2, 1902
Vilna, Russian Empire
Died(1988-01-04)January 4, 1988 (aged 85)
Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Occupation(s)Businessman; community leader
Known forHouse of a Thousand Items; President of the Binghamton Triplets
SpouseDebra Leibowitz

Louis William Rappaport (October 2, 1902 – January 4, 1988) was a Jewish American entrepreneur, businessman, and community leader in Binghamton, New York. He owned and operated Lou Rappaport's House of a Thousand Items from 1946 to 1971, one of the city's most memorable retail institutions.[1] Beyond retail, he served as president of the Triple Cities Baseball Club, which managed the Binghamton Triplets minor-league team during the 1960s.[2] He was also active in civic life as president of the Vestal Hills Country Club, a member of the Nimmonsburg Rotary Club, and a chairman of the Jewish Community Center.[2]

Early life and career

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Rappaport was born on October 2, 1902, in Vilna (now Vilnius, Lithuania), then part of the Russian Empire, to Henry Rappaport and Sarah Baile Katz.[3] His father immigrated to New York City in 1905, and Lou and his mother followed in 1908 through Ellis Island, speaking only Yiddish at the time.[4] The family settled in Binghamton by the late 1910s, joined by uncles Harry and Barnett, who established deep Rappaport family roots in the region. Lou's siblings Gertrude (1909), Irving (1912), and Jack (1915) were all raised in Binghamton.[5]

The family first went into the poultry and meat business, in which Lou participated before beginning a long career in automobile sales. By 1926 he managed the accessory department at Bloom's Used Car Exchange, later serving as used-car manager for the New York Sales Co. Buick dealer.[6] In 1934 he became manager of Triple Cities Chevrolet, a position he held until the company closed in 1938.[7] He then struck out independently in auto sales.

In 1929 Rappaport became engaged to Debra Leibowitz.[8] Together, Lou and Debra became prominent figures in Binghamton's Jewish community, supporting social, religious, and charitable institutions throughout their lives.

House of a Thousand Items

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The store at 1149 Upper Front St.

In 1946, shortly after the end of World War II, Rappaport opened his discount store with a simple newspaper ad offering 17 tires for sale.[1] Demand was overwhelming. At first, he used his home attic and cellar for stock space and displayed merchandise in his front yard. From these modest beginnings, he expanded rapidly by reinvesting profits and lengthening his hours.

The store, which came to be known as House of a Thousand Items, grew to carry an enormous variety of goods: tires and auto parts, hardware, household supplies, sporting equipment, toys, and even hunting and fishing licenses. “If he didn’t have it, you didn’t need it.” To attract customers, Rappaport became known for playful promotions, including offering free baby chicks with certain purchases, which became a much-discussed novelty in Binghamton.[9] Customers recalled that Lou greeted everyone personally, earning him the nickname “My Boy Lou.” Long before Walmart or big-box retailers, House of a Thousand Items became an “everything store” and a regional destination.[2]

Rappaport retired in 1971, selling the business to Fran Olbrys.[10] The store continued under other management until around 1990, when the building was divided for other uses.

Binghamton Triplets

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Rappaport became most widely known in the 1960s as president of the Triple Cities Baseball Club, which operated the Binghamton Triplets.[2] The Triplets, representing Binghamton, Endicott, and Johnson City, had been the long-time Eastern League farm team of the New York Yankees. When the Yankees withdrew their affiliation in 1961, Rappaport organized a community stock sale to take over the club and was elected president.[11]

Lou Rappaport sells community stocks for the Binghamton Triplets

Under his leadership, the Triplets initially affiliated with the Kansas City Athletics, though the partnership soon soured. Rappaport publicly criticized Kansas City executives for sending poor players, declaring, “You’ve sold us down the river.”[12] He later negotiated agreements with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and briefly secured a return of the Yankees in 1966, which he considered a highlight of his baseball career.[13]

Despite his efforts, the club struggled financially. Attendance declined, stock sales fell short of goals, and Rappaport often contributed personal funds to keep the team afloat.[14] At the same time, the looming demolition of Johnson Field for the construction of Route 17 left the club without a permanent home. Rappaport spearheaded multiple campaigns for a new stadium or multi-sport complex, arguing that baseball could pay for itself if given modern facilities.[15] Political disagreements and lack of funding doomed these projects, and by 1969 the Triplets had folded.[16]

Reflecting on his stewardship, Rappaport remarked, “Supporting a ball club is like marriage. It’s for better or worse. You can’t drop your wife off when you want to. You love her all the time.”[17]

Jewish Community

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The Rappaport family was part of Binghamton's small but growing Jewish population, which numbered about 1,500 when they arrived in the 1910s.[18] Lou became active early, performing in community fundraisers for the Jewish Community Center in the 1920s and entertaining at local events.[19] During World War II, he served in the New York State Guard, while his wife Debra enlisted in the Women's Army Corps (WAAC) in 1942 and trained as a bookkeeper.[20]

Ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Jewish Community Center in Binghamton, NY

Debra (Leibowitz) Rappaport emerged as a respected leader and role model in Binghamton's Jewish and civic life. She was active in Hadassah for over a decade, serving on multiple committees and being elected president in 1944.[21] She also served as president of the Vestal Hills Woman's Club, chaired the Women's Division of the Broome County Committee for the State of Israel, and in 1960 chaired the United Jewish Fund of Broome County.[22] In 1969, she was honored with the Woman of Valor Award in recognition of her leadership and fundraising efforts for Israel Bonds.[23]

Both Lou and Debra were central figures in the development of Binghamton's Jewish institutions. In 1966, Lou chaired the groundbreaking committee for the new Jewish Community Center.[24] Together, the couple embodied civic leadership in mid-century Binghamton, remembered both for their service to Jewish causes and for their public presence in business, sports, and community life.[2] Debra was also known as an exceptional bridge player, a pastime in which she excelled locally.[25]

Later life

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Rappaport retired in 1971 and moved to Hollywood, Florida, where he lived until his death on January 4, 1988.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Vanderbulk, Susan (July 6, 1971). "Lou Rappaport Getting Ready to Take It Easy". Press and Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, NY. p. 9.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Montez IV, Roqua; John Fox (January 6, 1988). "Ex-merchant remembered for giving to community". Press and Sun-Bulletin. p. 9.
  3. ^ 1910 United States Federal Census, entry for Henry Rappaport household, United States census, 1910; Binghamton, New York.
  4. ^ 1920 United States Federal Census, entry for Louis Rappaport, United States census, 1920; Binghamton, New York.
  5. ^ "Rappaport Family Notices". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1920s.
  6. ^ "Bloom's Used Car Exchange advertisement". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1926.
  7. ^ "Triple Cities Chevrolet Closes". Press and Sun-Bulletin. August 18, 1934. p. 20.
  8. ^ "Philadelphia Girl Will Become Bride of Binghamton Man". Press and Sun-Bulletin. January 4, 1929. p. 3.
  9. ^ "Free Chick Promotion Advertisement". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1950s.
  10. ^ "Fran Olbrys Takes Over Rappaport Store". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1971.
  11. ^ "Yankees Drop Triplets". Press and Sun-Bulletin. October 20, 1961.
  12. ^ "Rappaport Criticizes Athletics". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1962.
  13. ^ "Yankees Return to Binghamton". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1966.
  14. ^ "Triplets Financial Troubles". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1963.
  15. ^ "Rappaport Pushes Stadium Plan". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1967.
  16. ^ "Triplets Suspend Operations". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1969.
  17. ^ "Rappaport Reflects on Triplets". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1969.
  18. ^ Rosenberg, Gerry (1982). Beyond the Catskills: Jewish Life in Binghamton, 1850–1975. Binghamton, NY: Broome County Historical Society. p. 16.
  19. ^ "Jewish Community Center fundraisers". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1920s.
  20. ^ "Tier Provides More WAACs". Press and Sun-Bulletin. November 14, 1942. p. 3.
  21. ^ "Debra Rappaport Elected President of Hadassah". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1944.
  22. ^ "United Jewish Fund Drive Led by Mrs. Rappaport". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1960.
  23. ^ "Woman of Valor Award to Mrs. Rappaport". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1969.
  24. ^ "Rappaport Chairs JCC Groundbreaking". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1966.
  25. ^ "Mrs. Rappaport Tops in Bridge". Press and Sun-Bulletin. 1960s.