Harris & Frank

Harris & Frank was a clothing retailer and major chain in the history of retail in Southern California, which at its peak had around 40 stores across Southern California and in neighboring states and regions. Its history dates back to a clothing store founded by Leopold Harris in Los Angeles in 1856 near the city's central plaza, only eight years after the city had passed from Mexican to American control. Herman W. Frank joined Harris in partnership 32 years later in 1888.

Leopold Harris originally Lewin Hirschkowitz (LEH-vin-HIRSH-koh-vits), (c.1836–1910) was born into a Jewish household to parents whose names are quoted differently by two different sources. His own advertisement for his name change to Leopold Harris states his father's name as Feibisch and his mother's as Hannah. However, the Jewish Museum of the American West states his parents' names as Morris and Johanna and lists the following siblings who emigrated:

In his name change advertisement, Leopold Harris mentioned his brother's Moritz, and his sister Rosa Sommerfeld, who had remained in or near Löbau (as of 1872).

Harris (Hirschkowitz) was born in the town of Löbau in the Province of Prussia, Kingdom of Prussia, which in 1871 became part of a united Germany. In 1920 this part of Germany was ceded to the newly recreated country of Poland. In Polish, the town is now called Lubawa. The town was also the birthplace of prominent Los Angeles businessman Harris Newmark and of the Jacoby brothers, who also founded a major Los Angeles department store, Jacoby Bros.

He arrived in the United States, in 1852 at the age of 16, spent time in Kentucky, then traveled via Nicaragua together with fellow Löbauer Harris Newmark, to California, arriving in October 1853 and establishing his store on the Los Angeles Plaza in 1856.

Leopold Harris decided to enter business in the new Mormon colony of San Bernardino, California. He created the partnership Lewis & Harris there with Lewis Jacobs, which they dissolved in April 1862. He then spent some time outside the U.S., then returned to Los Angeles and founded the London Clothing Company.

He became a U.S. citizen in 1857. With Henry M. Cohn (or Cohen), Harris formed the business partnership Cohen & Harris to raise and graze sheep at San Gabriel, which they dissolved in 1860. In 1862, they partnered again and opened a kosher meat market. Harris also participated in a business partnership in San Francisco. In 1868 he married Minna Jastrowitz, sister of his business partner Benno Jastrowitz. In 1972, he officially changed his name from Lewin Hirschkowitz to Leopold Harris.

He died in 1910 on Long Island, New York on his way back to Los Angeles after falling ill on a trip to Europe.