The late Sam Shaheen founded Shaheen’s Department Store in 1922. Shaheen’s, now in their fourth generation, is still family owned and operated by direct descendants of Sam Shaheen himself. The story goes that Sam came over from his home in Lebanon to make a better life for himself. Like many immigrants of the time Sam took on a restaurant job at the famed Sealbach Hotel in Louisville. After a few years Sam managed to save enough money to buy what in those days was called a dry goods business in the Louisville neighborhood Portland. Sam was a first class resident and businessman. Treating everyone with dignity and respect he slowly became a local legend. While Sam thrived during the great depression he did not let greed get the best of him. For example he would give a family who just recently lost their source of income a running store credit. In those days credit was not that easy to come by especially if you had just lost your job. But Sam was a neighborhood man plus a devote Catholic and family man. The Portland store still operates today under the management of Sam’s grandson Kevin Shaheen.

The story continues on when Sam’s son Eli Shaheen decided to spread his wings and open more stores throughout the Louisville area. Eli started working in the family business in 1945 and still to this day works full time. That’s right over 57 years in the clothing business. Eli’s experience and expertise in the retail industry is rooted strong in the Shaheen’s shopping experience.

Around the year 1954 Eli Shaheen started taking specific request from schools in the Louisville area and before Eli knew it he was starting Louisville’s first school uniform program. More and more schools began calling and requesting school uniforms and to this day Shaheen’s services more than 300 schools in Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee.

In 1998 Eli, Afaf (his wife of over 50 years), and Sam Shaheen, Sr. (Eli and Afaf’s Son) following the business trends of the late 90’s consolidated two local stores and opened one bigger location with a large stock room to handle the growing out of town sales and order department. This store is located in the heart of Louisville’s suberbs in St. Matthews. Shortly after opening in 98’ Sam Shaheen, Jr. came into the family business as the stores bookkeeper. In 99’ Mike Shaheen came into the family business. Mike has assumed the role of inventory controller. Mike is also an active member of the United States Army Reserves.

The story has not ended at Shaheen’s and we hope to pass this business on to generation after generation of Shaheen’s. From 1922 to 2002 marks over 80 years and four generations of family. Shaheen’s is a rare bird in today’s Big Box style of retail stores. Good prices and great service has made us Louisville’s oldest locally owned clothing store. And as you can see we are very proud of that! Thank you for visiting our site and supporting family owned small business.

God Bless,

Eli, Afaf, Sam Sr. Kevin, Scotty, Sam, Sr. and Mike