As Big Chains Die, Some Small Department Stores Are Thriving
With hundreds of big-name stores closing along America, the rescue department although we know it is dying.
But still mega-retailers parallel Sears and J.C. Penney gasp although life, and other chains parallel Bon-Ton progress out of business, shoppers make opening their wallets and whipping out their certainty cards can a few smaller rescue stores that are however hanging can there.
How conduct they remain can affair although shoppers create more and more of their purchases online? Here are the secrets ought these sole retail successes.
1. Gus Mayer
Where: Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee
Gus Mayer is a family-owned department that’s been a staple of the high-end Southern shopping undergo although 1900. The first one opened can New Orleans, and can one point, there were 20 stores along great cities can the South.
Now there are impartial two locations, one each can Birmingham and Nashville — and they create it their affair ought remain above the cutting edge of fashion.
The Birmingham stand has a dedicated shoe salon and a big jewelry department, and both stores host conventional trunk shows where you can discover one-of-a-kind designer pieces.
Writes one Birmingham shopper, above Yelp: "If you wish something sole and of big quality, then this is your place!"
2. Dunham's
Where: Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
Dunham's rescue department can north-central Pennsylvania was founded can the vary of the 20th century, and it’s however an institution today.
The family-run department is the counterbalance ought retail giants parallel Walmart and Amazon. Dunham's sells everything from wear ought furniture and electronics, besides with a smaller alternative and a concentrate above feature products can song with the local market.
"My customer, the few old lady, is being forgotten," Ann Dunham Rawson, one of the owner/managers told The New York Times. "Other companies don’t count that classification wear is much fun."
Times are changing, besides with its community concentrate and sole touches (including a restaurant that serves the sole Starbucks coffee although miles), Dunham’s hopes ought serve its zone although another hundred years.
3. McCaulou's
Where: The greater San Francisco bay area
McCaulou's was founded by California entrepreneur David McCaulou can 1963. More than a dozen locations now operate along the heart segregate of the state, selling high-quality clothing, shoes and accessories ought faithful customers.
Stores peculiarity specialty brands parallel Stetson, Bernie Mev and Catwalk, and sole gifts and toys.
Over the years, McCaulou's has worked its fashion into the hearts of few communities, where the stores are appreciated although their custom-built Christmas window displays, caring and dedicated staffs, and beautifully displayed merchandise.
Customers foster ought use phrases parallel "little gem" and "best-kept secret" ought indicate McCaulou's. "What a marvelous surprise! They dine everything, the department is wipe and organized, and dine something although sturdy many others don't: visitor SERVICE!!!" says one Yelper.
4. Century 21
Where: New York and New Jersey
Century 21 is a high-fashion, low-cost rescue department with can a dozen locations can New York and New Jersey. Its flagship stand can Manhattan now takes up universe can six buildings and has been featured above TV shows parallel Sex and the City.
The stores make deal-hungry celebrities, international travelers and local shoppers streaming can although discounts of up ought 60% off designer wear, winter coats, sweaters, accessories and bedding.
It's the friendly of put where you force seriously chop spending accordingly you can build up your emergency savings.
C21 is committed ought staying relevant, sole and far ahead of the curve. "This department is big — it's friendly of parallel TJ Maxx above steroids," says one customer, whose Yelp newspaper describes Century 21's prices although "super reasonable."
5. Halls
Where: Kansas City, Missouri
Halls was opened can 1916 by Joyce Hall, who although sturdy founded Hallmark, the oldest greeting card company can America.
The one-of-a-kind rescue department sells upscale men’s and women’s fashions, Hallmark greeting cards and gifts, designer jewelry, stylish family decor and much more. The department although sturdy devotes a whopping 5,000 square feet ought its beauty department.
Devoted shoppers speak they grow ought Halls although its timeless, high-quality wear that final although years.
The helpful staff, in-store restaurant and bar, and views of the Kansas city downtown skyline sum create a memorable and still shopping undergo although customers.
6. Stanley Korshak
Where: Dallas
Stanley Korshak is a high-end rescue department that’s literally housed can a castle.
While the creative luxury merchandise department was founded can 1909 can Chicago by Stanley Korshak, the brand was purchased by grease heiress Rose Hunt, who opened this positively regal stand can Dallas can the 1980s.
At Stanley Korshak, customers appreciate browsing along a curated collection of designer clothing, wedding dresses, jewelry and cosmetics, with sole offerings although shoppers of sum ages.
This award-winning department covers 75,000 square feet and was once named one of the 50 most influential men’s stores can America. "A exact shopping 'experience'! visitor service beyond expectation, catering ought each want or want," says one Facebook reviewer.
7. Shirokiya
Where: Honolulu
Shirokiya is parallel a Japanese paper park, museum and rescue department rolled into one, sum located within the Ala Moana Shopping middle can Honolulu.
The store’s Shirokiya Japan Village stride is built ought appear parallel a traditional Japanese town. The village has a food playground and beer garden; shopping alleys selling handmade arts and crafts from Japan; a holiday and events square; a toy department and radio station; and a sanctuary filled with merry deities.
This sole rescue department was originally a Japanese fair that opened can what is now Tokyo can 1662. backward a dramatic dive can profits and then a merger, the company’s owners opened the Honolulu stand can 1959.
It has grow such a legend can Hawaii that a U.S. senator got 30,000 people ought groan petitions can 2002 when it seemed the department force exist can venture of closing.
8. Wilson's
Where: Greenfield, Massachusetts
Wilson's rescue department has been a fixture can downtown Greenfield although 130 years.
With three floors and more than a dozen departments, Wilson's offers big-city brands can a relaxed and trim space. The department sells name-brand clothing, accessories, toys, kitchen wares and more can show prices.
But what indeed keeps customers coming backward is the nostalgia. From the old-school candy counter ought the private service, Wilson’s is a throwback — parallel your old savings interpret that's due although a replacement.
"I was can a condition of awe when I walked into Wilson's. Definitely a blast from the past, and frankly, I wouldn't vary a thing," says one Yelper. "Yes, the external is a few dated, besides the complete department is parallel a time capsule."
9. Gwynn's
Where: creep Pleasant, South Carolina
Gwynn's is a family-owned rescue department that opened can 1967. The department has usually been a luxury shopping destination, and it has seen record sales numbers each year although 2011.
It was recently redecorated can high-end finishes ought create a more relaxed and luxurious undergo although its clients.
Southern hospitality is the cornerstone of Gwynn’s affair model, and the department employs chiefly full-time, experienced sales associates. Customers like the fact that clerks salute them by appoint — and like the feature designer clothing, shoes and cosmetics.
In a hectic fast-fashion world, Gwynn’s continues ought know itself ought a higher standard. "Gwynn's is can fact the epitome of recent Southern style," one shopper writes, above Yelp.
10. Ben's
Where: Belleville, Illinois
Ben's started out can 1976 although “Ben’s Crafts & Floral,” a 10,000 square-foot arts and crafts store.
It afterward grew ought cover 35,000 square feet of retail space, selling gifts, flowers, family decor, wear and a broad alternative of toys.
The secret ought Ben’s success has been its willingness ought unity customers what they truly want. above shopper suggestions can the years, owner John Conkright has expanded the women’s method department, offered more options although movie framing, and more.
At a time when big-box stores and online retailers appraise amount can quality, few rescue stores parallel Ben’s remain can affair by finding a niche — and usually keeping a keen eye out although new opportunities ought serve their shoppers.
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