Harry Hoffman, 1994

The son of Russian immigrants Fanny and Morris Hoffman, Harry helped out in his parents' grocery store, sold newspapers, and left school at age 14 to work full time in the family businesses (groceries and clothing). He married Lillian Butler in 1935. Later, Lillan founded the Colorado Committee of Concern for Soviety Jewry. Self-taught and well-read, Hoffman learned all about liquor and wine as he opened a liquor business in 1937. Four years later, Harry Hoffman Liquors was the leading liquor dealer in Denver. By 1965, he had approximately 800,000 customers a year and sold more than one million bottles annually, including over 1,-000 wine selections. He was known for his kindness, generosity, and respect for his customers. He also ignored a picket line in front of his store by Communists protesting Lil's efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry. He died in 1988.