Merchant of the Week: Michael Kushner’s “Squires”—stocking for all seasons at all times
/The dressiest new sequined Uggs
December 30, 2011
by Rob Greenstein
I paid a visit to Squires Family Clothing and Footwear—one of downtown Chappaqua’s longest-standing shops—to speak to its owner, Michael Kushner.
You’ve been in business since 1949. That makes Squires the oldest member of the business district. What’s the secret of your success?
We carry a complete line of quality, hard-to-find items for men, women, and children. Whether you need clothes for school, camp, sports or work, we offer head-to-toe outfitting and footwear for the entire family. We are incredibly well stocked despite our size. We have terrific sales associates willing and able to assist. Our experienced staff have been with us for an average of 10 years! Our shoe fitters are professionally trained—two with over 25 years experience - to ensure good advice and proper fit. We believe this builds continuity and customer loyalty.
I know you sponsor a New Castle softball team, are you involved in any other community activities?
We sponsor a little league team every year. We also donate a great deal of clothing and shoes twice per year to the First Congregational Church for its semi-annual Barn Sale—the big one in May, and a second one in autumn. From my understanding, we are usually their largest contributor. We have been donating to the Barn Sale since 1988. After our first major flood back in 1999, many members of the First Congregational Church came down to the store—unsolicited—to help bail out and clean up. It was the kindest and most helpful gesture. After 09/11, we reciprocated by donating hundreds of flannel shirts and thousands of socks to rescue personnel on the front line.
What makes your store different than a chain like Nordstrom?
We’re different from Nordstrom because we cater to the needs of customers year round. We are fully stocked for the ski season for the entire family…...jackets, gloves, hats, socks, base layers (thermals) after-ski boots. We just took in 200 pair of SOREL boots. We stock winter/ski clothing and accessories until the middle of March. While most stores are focused on forcing the season (Spring) by loading their sales floor with spring merchandise, which we do carry year round, we try to have in stock what our customers want…..when they want it….even if that means we have more than what we need. We have always survived difficult times by doing it our way…..which means truly accommodating the needs of our customers. We very rarely have to say…“sorry we ran out”. Not sure if this philosophy is the best for the bottom line, but it does keep customers coming back. Just in case potential customers are unaware, we do carry all seasons year-round. If people are looking for a bathing suit in December for a vacation…..no problem. Looking for a fall/winter fleece for a summer hiking trip in higher elevations? No problem.We don’t have regional buyers, like Nordstrom. We personally sell on our sales floors. We know our customers. We know the brands and items that our customers want.
What’s your most significant change over the past 62 years?
We’re always changing our mix of brands and styles, but our most significant change was the addition of a complete women’s department. Our name used to be Squires Men’s and Boys’ wear. We changed our name to Squires Family Clothing and Footwear in 1996 when we opened our second location in Katonah. And, of course, we added our web site www.squiresny.com. The one thing that has not changed is that New Castle has remained a family-oriented community emphasizing education.
Has business improved now that the bridge and parking lot construction has been completed?
Now that the bridge and parking lot is complete it’s time to get back to a “better normal.” This community deserves these upgrades and now people can shop without concern of delay or chaos. For the last three and a half years the merchants and residents have been struggling with the obvious issues associated with major construction. The effect of the two being completed will be substantial, I think.
What surprises your customers the most?
I think most surprising to new customers is the one-stop shopping experience we provide. We are truly a one-stop answer for clothing, footwear and accessories for every member of the family. We also do FREE ALTERATIONS which surprises many since it’s very unusual in the women’s market. The most surprising item we carry is definitely Christopher Blue, a women’s jean line. Christopher Blue has the best business model we’ve seen for women’s jeans. They offer 4 rises to truly fit any customer that walks in the door. Their fit is amazing. Their jeans are stretch which makes them extremely comfortable. We have had more “come backs” for this brand than any other. We also carry Christopher Blue twills, cords, shorts, capris, and tops, all excellent quality, consistency, and great up-to-date styling.
I know you also have a store in Katonah, anything New Castle can learn from Katonah?
Katonah is a wonderful town. They have a great mix of shops and excellent pedestrian walkways. I believe that our mix of stores has deteriorated over the last ten years, but things are starting to change for the better. The only thing that absolutely should be done is to make the walkways as safe as possible and conducive to shopping. We have had far to many close calls, and a tragic car accident at Greeley and King. I believe that with all of the kids running around on a Friday afternoon after school, we are asking for trouble by not supplying a safe downtown.
Any special post-holiday discounts for NewCastleNOW reader who mention this article?
Yes! Through January 31. 2012, we’ll give customers a free waterproof spray with the purchase of any Ugg boot.
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Visit NCNOW.org’s Business Section to see other “Merchant of the Week” pieces by Rob Greenstein.
To Bob Greenstein - This is a wonderful thing you do- showcasing local merchants! I have been reading all your letters and comments thru the years regarding Chapp Crossing and your run for Town Board. I voted for you. I also took note that when in recent NCN articles Squires was criticized for the way it conducts business you came to Squires defense. Clearly you are fond of Mr Kushner and his store.
However , I disagreed with you when you defended Squires practice of placing racks on the sidewalk in front of his store. He claimed and you supported his claim that it was temporary due to the storms, flooding, and power outages.
I recall then that I thought this was not accurate as Squires always and regularly has racks of clothes on display on the sidewalk. He had done so for years before the storms and continues today. Just YESTERDAY as I drove into town down the 120 bride the first thing I saw was 2 racks on display on the sidewalk in front of Kushner’s Squires. Two hand written magic marker signs proclaims “sale” items on the display racks. The signs look like an elementary school student wrote them, This is the first thing people see when the enter our downtown coming down hill off the new bridge. It looks horrible! As other have said and I agree, the front of his store looks like a garage sale or flea market. It is not appropriate and it reflects poorly on a downtown looking for a new identity. What if all merchants did what he did on a regular basis? Should EZ Sports, Family Britches, Desires, and others put racks and showcases on their sidewalks as well? Why doesnt Mr. Kirshner hear us? Why does he not get it? And why does the town not do something about it? While you sing his praises others find his behavior and insensitivity offensive. When last I was in Katonah I noticed that he had no such display racks with hand written “on sale” signs on the sidewalk in that town………
I was surprised to see no mention of Larry Caso in your report on Squires. Over many years Larry built Squires into a Chappaqua landmark by his devotion to the the hamlet and to its residents.
Why is Squires still permitted to have display racks on the sidewalk? Many have complained and we were told that they did it only temporarily during the storm. Well the storm has long passed and Squires still has cheesey “for sale” signs on outside racks right on the sidewalk in public view. It is an eyesore and must be in some violation. What if all Chapp merchants did the same?
I support and encourage shopping locally, but I also think the local merchants should support local causes. Most do. Has Squires? If yes, which organizations? I’ve not had much luck.
Perhaps the “shop local” mantra is overshadowed by a merchant that rarely puts anything on sale (unless it is several years old), sells as new garments dampened by floods, and continues to reguarly place display racks on our sidewalks as if his store front and our town is a flea market. WOW - free waterproof spray if we buy Ugg boots!.....Ugghhh
The sales staff in this store is extremely customer oriented and aims to please. Thanks!
I am in Katonah regularly - I do not recall ever seeing Squires in Katonah with diplay racks on the sidewalk there. Why must Mr Kushner place clothing racks on the sidewalk in his Chappaqua store but he does not do the same in Katonah. Is it prohibited in Katonah and allowed in Chappaqua? If so , the Town Board or “business development” board or whomever ought to pass an ordinance prohibiting such displays with exeptions for “special” occasions like Chappaqua sale days or community promotions. Squires is the only store in Chappaqua that regularly puts racks on the sidewalk. It looks awful and people have made these observations and comments in the past. Yet it persists. We continue to discuss how to revitalize and dress up downtown Chapp. This does not help.
On the pricey side but inventory, service and quality are exceptional. We’re fortunate to have them here.
Dear Editor- on these very pages months ago many readers expressed displeasure with Squires for openly displaying clothing racks on the sidewalk. I agree that these racks with hand painted cardboard “for sale” signs are an eyesore and inappropriate for our downtown. After these complaints were posted the explanation given was that these racksvwere temporary duebto the aftermath of storm flooding. Unfortunately these racks continue to be on open display. Just this past Saturday as I drove over the 1200 bridge and into downtown Chapp the first thing onevsees are these racks in front of Squires. I suppose technically these racks are in the outdoor vestibule entrance to Squires but nonetheless the racks are on public display. These are unbecoming. No other merchant does this. Who is supposed to enforce rules prohibiting this sort of thing? imagine what our town would look like if other merchants did the same thing.
Nice job, Rob. This is a great service to the community! I look forward to your next column.
I think the town should enforce its code as far as outside racks (allowed, I guess, on sidewalk sale days?). But Squire’s signs are not-bad compared to the magic-marker signs in the nail salon at the corner, next to Villarina’s. Surely there’s some piece of the town code governing impromptu signs in windows?
Totally believe in supporting local businesses, and do so actively. But not at Squires—-
1. Prices are consistently higher than other full-price retailers—and that might be ok, but ...
2. I question Squires’s support of local organizations that help our community—I know that Mr. Kushner was quite emphatic about not doing so in at least one instance, and ...
3. As noted above, Squires invests almost nothing in its storefront (quite a difference between Squires and, say, Desires and Family Britches) and in fact pulls down the appearance of our town through its sidewalk racks.
And so, why support a local merchant who both overcharges and locally under-invests?
First, I appreciate the convenience of location. I don’t mind paying higher prices for the proximity of Squires.
Second, it’s unfair to tap merchants for our organizations. Squires fields a softball team. It’s ungenerous to fault Squires for not giving to every single organization. They stuff they give to First Congregational for the big barn sale is NEW, EXPENSIVE, GREAT CLOTHING—FOR FREE!!! Come on. So Squires turned you down for something? Very harsh of you to complain about it.
I don’t think ANY of the merchants should feel obliged to contribute to fund raising period. Not for school, library, historical society—anything! Our own community members should be giving whenever needed. I think the merchants are unfairly pressured to contribute to all kinds of things! Enough! We can and should do this ourselves!
First, as one who has been hit hard by the economy, I appreciate the sale racks at Squires - both inside and outside. I don’t get why some are in a snit over ONE rack outside in their vestibule.
Second, if you read the interview, it seems unfounded to accuse Squires of not supporting local causes. What are you basing this on? I’ve personally walked into the store when fundraising for my children’s schools, and Mr. Kushner happily gave me gift certificates on more than one occasion. I agree with the above writer in that these merchants are constantly hit up for donations. Yes, it’s part of doing business in a small town, but that is why it’s so important for us to support them.
Third, I’m not sure what the other writer was talking about regarding Squires “investing almost nothing in its storefront” when it seems pretty apparent that they just replaced their awnings.
Last, I’d like to thank Squires for having the most helpful, knowledgeable and fun staff! They’ve helped me out of a couple jams with rush alterations and a holiday Ugg emergency (and yes, I do value the free spray!).
Squires does not make an effort to support any local organizations. In contrast, I have never been turned down by several other retailers when I have asked for small donations of goods, services or advertising in programs for school events. Petticoat Lane, Desires and even new retail businesses are quick to support the community as they recognize that those organizations count residents who shop local as members. I won a gift certificate to a local merchant at an event in September and have returned to them three times since for other purchases to show my appreciation for their community support. Squires also sells years old merchandise as new; now that certain garments have to be marked as to which season they are sold for, it is obvious that some are not new stock, yet the staff claims otherwise. Footwear in particular is sold as the current season’s merchandise when it is clearly not and to add insult to injury, many items are sold ABOVE the MSRP. I support many other local businesses and will continue to do so but refuse to shop at Squires. Lastly, the racks on the sidewalk detracts from the many efforts the community has made to improve the downtown shopping experience. Why allow this retailer to operate above reproach?
