[1] Hyman Zeitz (c. 1860-1930), who emigrated to the United States in 1882,[2] opened a coat and suit department in an existing blouse shop called Martin's at the corner of Fulton and Bridge Street in Brooklyn, New York.

[4] In 1966, Hyman Zeitz' grandson Wilbur Levin took over as president of the chain, though Fred and brother Harry remained active in senior roles.

[12] In 1972, president Wilbur Levin left Martin's to move into the banking industry, and another Zeitz grandson, Robert Rosenthal, took the reins.

"[13] Although a sixth location was opened in the new Riverside Square Mall in Hackensack, New Jersey in early 1977,[14] profits for the still family-held company had steadily declined during the 1970s.

[5] In October 1977, with reported annual sales of $30 million, Martin's was sold for an undisclosed amount of cash to the Seedman Merchandising Group, operator of Times Square Stores.