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In 1921, the world was in transition and few could for
see what the future held. No one could have predicted
that within nine years the Great Depression would grip
the country; even fewer could predict that within ten
years the world would be embroiled in another World War.
When Sol Kaluzna was born to his immigrant parents, he
was an unwanted surprise. Little did anyone in their family
realize that this child would grow up to be very successful
and extremely loyal to his family.
It was a growing era in Chicago. The neighborhoods were
settling in and still recovering from the great Chicago
Fire. Sol's father, grandfather, and uncle all put down
their roots on Maxwell St. and Jefferson St. both bordered
by a then sleepy Roosevelt Rd.
While very few had cars or money in those days, street
cars were the chief mode of transportation and rides were
only seven cents. Sol's father and brother decided to
open a little store. It wasn't much; a long and narrow
storefront, one light bulb, no plumbing, and a stove in
the middle to give off heat during the winter months.
They sold used clothing in their store, a very difficult
way to make a living for his family. Yet, being a very
honorable man, father never complained. As with any family,
personalities clashed, and the partnership eventually
fell apart.
Little Sol at age 13 was already following in his father's
footsteps and showed a great interest in making money.
He did odd jobs around the neighborhood which included
fixing bicycles and delivering groceries to help put some
money in his pocket. By the time he finished High School
the Second World War was raging in Europe. Two life changing
events occurred on Sunday, December 7, 1941; the United
States entered the war and a still young Sol turned 20.
After five years in the Army, Sol returned home with five
battle stars to his credit. The year was now 1945, Sol
was married, with no home, no money, and no job.
Thankfully,
his father still had that little store on Jefferson Street,
and by this time there were other little stores that had
opened as well. The neighborhood was old and shabby with
an overwhelming European atmosphere. Sol's father invited
him to join in the family business to now help provide
for his own family. The store had a large window and shelf
for service which father then decided to rent out to another
business man for $50.00 a month. That $50.00 would help
with the rent and keep the family business open.
Sol then joined his father at the store and spent most
of his days hanging out with friends whose fathers also
owned stores up and down the street. Some sold furniture
others clothing just like Sol's father did.
As
the years went by, Sol began to hustle and find ways to
get into the uniform business, which was dominated mostly
by the Irish merchants at the time. Most of the police
and fire men were Irish immigrants themselves, so it only
seemed to make sense that they weren't interested in doing
business with a Jewish merchant. In order to be competitive
and work side by side with the Irish, Sol made the decision
to change his then last name of Kaluzna to Kale, a Russian
name, hoping for a better fit. He worked hard to fit in
and be accepted, long hours seven days a week. Eventually,
all the Irish merchants either sold their businesses or
closed their doors because they could not compete with
Sol who was able to gain business by undercutting his
competition.
As he began to reap the rewards of his hard work, Sol
saved his money and began to purchase real estate. Sol
always made it a point not to forget his family by including
his brother and sister in his decisions. For by this time
father had died of a heart attack, and the family needed
his help.
Sol's
mother and sister, who always lived together on Roosevelt
Road, sold their building and moved to the north side
of Chicago. In that day that was considered to be "moving-up."
Now, Sol's brother-in-law had to have surgery and was
unable to work. Nonetheless, every Friday evening, after
closing the store, Sol made it a point to go and visit
his mother and brother-in-law bringing them their weekly
earnings. As the years went by, Sol continued to add more
real estate to his portfolio. This gave Sol a lot of happiness
and added income, which he shared generously with his
family.
In 1975, the first shopping center was built on Roosevelt
Rd. There were 10 stores and not all of them were rented.
Sol wanted to buy the shopping center so he could move
the business over to larger quarters. Sol's business was
growing and needed more space. So it was a very happy
day when the deal was finalized, a parcel of land which
he has held onto until this very day.
The City of Chicago now was growing in population and
beginning to change. He felt it was time to invest in
more real estate on Roosevelt Rd. The street cars were
now gone and Chicago had busses, and lots of cars that
traveled down now busy Roosevelt Rd. Noticing the change,
Sol decided to purchase two additional shopping centers
on the same stretch of road.
All was going great when on one fateful day billionaire
Warren Buffet called Sol and expressed interest in buying
his six store uniform business. While he was paid well
for his life's work, Sol, once again, was more than generous
with everyone who helped him along the way.
The years have passed now, and like a phoenix rising from
the ashes, the once sleepy Roosevelt Road is now a modern
builder's paradise. Complete with high rise condo developments
and big box retailers, the South Loop was born. What ever
happened to Sol Kale you ask? Well, he still comes to
his uniform shop weekly, but now it has a new tenant...
his grandson Nick Patterson. Nick opened Kale Realty in
the same spot his grandfathers business once occupied.
Nick's decision to carry on the family name was not just
the right thing to do... but was done with Sol's blessing.
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