Behind the Seams

The many ladies (and one man) of the Drapery Sewing Department pause at their machines for a group photo inside Leiter Brothers department store on West Washington Street, circa 1910. The Leiters – three brothers and one sister – first opened for business on June 1, 1908, in what was known as the Aughinbaugh building, and shortly afterwards expanded the premise to accommodate their fast-growing customer base. In 1912, the family opened a ladies’ apparel store in Chambersburg, followed by another in 1914 in Harrisburg, and yet another in Waynesboro. On the occasion of celebrating their 40th year in business, Roy A. Leiter, one of the original founders, was asked how the firm enjoyed such continued success for so many years. His reply was simply that the old axiom still applies: The Customer Is Always Right.

These vintage images were preserved and provided courtesy of Washington County Historical Society. Enjoy hundreds more historic views from the society’s collection by visiting washcohistory.org.