The Truth About J. W. Cooper

My name is Marvin Levine, the creator and founder of JW Cooper Bal Harbour Shops-Bal Harbour, FL.

In 1979 I and a few investors opened the first JW Cooper store in the Falls Shopping Center in South Miami, FL. Some time in late 1980, I hired Todd Rauchwerger as a part time sales person. He was delivering pizza at the time. After I saw that he would work out, I hired him full time. And he gave up delivering pizza.

I spent many years with Todd, training him in the retail business. After about 5 years I gave Todd a 5% sweat equity in the business. He worked hard and I took him in for more equity in a new JW Cooper in Cocowalk shopping center in Coconut Grove. Then, because JW Cooper was so unique I secured a space in the Bal Harbour Shops. About 10 years ago I sold and financed the Bal Harbour store to Todd, as I was designing all the Bass Pro stores around the USA and could not devote any time to the business. I am disappointed that Todd would claim he was the "Visionary" and "Founder Of" JW Cooper.

I am writing this because I have built a Design consulting business, and reference myself as the original founder of JW Cooper.

-Marvin Levine