After fifty years of serving the local community, Brenner’s Children’s Shop, located at 694 Washington St has officially closed its doors for good.
Owners Aron and Martha Greenfieldot provided school uniforms, scout attire, and formal children’s clothing across three generations and also made a lasting impact on the community.
Aron, a Polish Jew, had a difficult early life marked by discrimination, beginning during his childhood when he was one of only seven Jewish students in a predominantly Catholic school in Poland. Despite being a stellar student who was adept at four languages, Aron faced bullying from his Catholic peers, leading to him dropping out after the fifth grade.
Life got even harder after the Nazis invaded his hometown in 1939. He narrowly avoided being sent to Auschwitz at age 15 because he lied about his age, stepping into the line for boys 16 and above after being prompted by his mother.
Aron survived nine concentration camps during World War II. One of his sisters also survived, but his parents and seven other seven siblings were all killed before the end of the war, with his brothers being killed just the day before liberation day.
These survival instincts, honed during the war, later contributed to his success as a businessman and despite facing violence and hatred due to his religion, Aron’s experiences fueled his determination to share his story, educating younger generations. He recently visited St. Catherine of Siena School to inspire students.
Following the war, Aron moved to Mattapan, a predominantly Jewish community at the time. He learned English, worked in a meat company, and later started a side business selling watches. His life later took a dangerous turn when he was shot in the stomach during a robbery.
A turning point came when he met his future wife, Martha, at a dance. They moved to Norwood, where Aron seized an opportunity to acquire Brenner’s Children’s Shop for $200 in 1973, marking the beginning of their 50-year venture.
The Greenfields have been pillars of the community, offering everything from scout uniforms to school attire and formal children’s wear. Aron attributes their success to Martha, humorously acknowledging her as “the boss.”
The couple plans to retire to Maryland and spend time with their daughter’s family and three grandchildren.
Numerous community members expressed gratitude and bid farewell to the Greenfields. Aron’s inspirational life story, shared with local children, serves as a poignant reminder of the past’s mistakes and the importance of learning from them.
The Greenfields announced the closing in July of 2022 and spent the last few months selling their remaining inventory. Today, Martha removed the first dollar they ever made from the wall, and locked the front door for the final time, marking the end of this chapter in their lives.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)