Sol Polk

Sol Polk (May 14, 1917 – May 15, 1988) was an American businessman and co-founder of appliance retailer Polk Brothers.

Early life Polk was one of six children born to their Romanian Jewish immigrant father, Henry Pokovitz and to their Austrian Jewish immigrant mother, Yetta Reyen.

Career He worked as a concessionaire at the 1933 World's Fair and then during the Great Depression, sold irons and ironing boards door-to-door. and in the 1950s and 1960s, Polk Brothers became the largest retailer of brand-name appliances in the country with 15 stores and over $100 million in annual sales. Polk Brothers was also the first retailer of color television sets and microwave ovens in the country. The Polk Family Foundation subsequently donated $20 million to the redevelopment of Navy Pier; the park and fountain at the entrance to the pier was named the Polk Brothers Park and Fountain.