A. Rifkin Co. history

In 1903, after 11 years of hard work, the business had developed to a size which permitted Abraham Rifkin and Sol Heller to purchase a three-story brick building, 40 feet wide and 120 feet deep, at 39 East Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre.

After nearly twenty years, the partnership of Abraham Rifkin and Sol Heller was dissolved in 1911.

David (Dave), Jacob (Jack) and William (Will), three sons of Abraham Rifkin, joined their father in the business until November of 1922, when Abraham Rifkin passed away at age 67.

By 1926, the sales emphasis had shifted so strongly to the work clothing line that Will, Dave and Jack decided to give up the dry goods portion of the business.

In 1933, the Wyoming National Bank of Wilkes-Barre asked Will Rifkin if they could buy some zipper bags to satisfy this special need.

In 1934, the patent was issued for the Arcolock.

Dave expanded his sales efforts until by 1939 he, personally, was calling on the banks in 32 states.

The work clothing that had been so important through the years up to 1945 was de-emphasized.

Major improvements were made to the Arcolock and in 1947, the “Deluxe Arcolock” was introduced.

In 1948, Arnold Rifkin, son of Dave Rifkin, joined the sales organization.

In August 1965, the organization was incorporated and the name was changed to A. Rifkin Co.

Finding nothing suitable, in 1966 they purchased five-acre parcel of land on the Sans Souci Parkway, and a new factory was built.

In July 1968, David Rifkin passed away and was succeeded by his son Arnold as president of the company.

In 1969 It became obvious that a new source was needed for the manufacture of the Rifkin Arcolock.

Business continued to grow, and in 1973 the company opened a 10,000 square foot branch factory in the neighboring town of Nanticoke, where 70 people were employed.

Approximately 15 Rifkin employees work in the office area where accounting operations have been computerized since 1974.

During this expansion, in 1976, Arnold’s son, Michael Rifkin, joined the company, making him the 4th generation of Rifkins to work in the business.

And in 1981, Arnold’s son-in-law, Paul Lantz, also joined the company in the Finance Department.

At the Sans Souci location there were two more expansion periods in 1975 and 1981 which brought the total area of that facility to 69,000 square feet, including office, factory and warehouse space. It was closed and its equipment and personnel moved into the Sans Souci facility in 1983.

In 1992, A. Rifkin Co. celebrated 100 years of manufacturing in the United States.

Four years later in 1996, after 48 years with the company and 28 years as President, Arnold turned over the day-to-day responsibilities of running the company to his son, Michael Rifkin, and son-in-law, Paul Lantz.

In 1998, Michael left to run an investment partnership, and Paul became the President of A. Rifkin Co.

A. Rifkin Co. patented another security feature for bags in 2003 known as Keyless Security.

In 2013, A. Rifkin Co. welcomed its fifth generation to the company when Paul’s daughter Darcy Lantz Buck joined the company in the Marketing Department.