Jacob Finkelstein founded Jacob Finkelstein & Sons, a Woonsocket based manufacturer of men's sportswear, outerwear, rain-wear and award jackets. Jacob spoke only french when he arrived in New York City from Paris at the age of 14. He initially found work as a peddler of soft-wear and linen tablecloths. While traveling his New England route, Jacob would often visit Woonsocket. He quickly became comfortable communicating and working with the french speaking population. Tired of selling other people's product lines, Jacob established a rain-wear manufacturing enterprise in New York City in 1914. In 1927 he moved his family and business to Woonsocket. Here he and his son, Noah established Jacob Finkelstein & Sons renting space in the Taft-Pierce building. Due to expanding business, in 1931 the business moved first to Railroad Street and then to Social Street. Jacob died in 1933 leaving behind his wife Bessie and their nine children, five daughters and four sons.
In 1937, again in need of more space, the company purchased the Samoset Mill at 128 Singleton Street. Here the business would remain for the next 50 years run by Jacob's four sons, Elliot, Noah, Robert and Harold. During WWII and continuing after the end of the War the business experienced rapid growth so much so that Jacob Finkelstein & Sons was ranked as America's 7th largest outerwear manufacturer in 1955. At it's peak, the company employed over 600 people at the Singleton location.