By Tripp Vistica
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world in more ways than anyone could’ve imagined, especially for businesses. Some businesses, like Amazon, electronic stores and hardware stores, have thrived while other businesses, James Davis, Oak Hall and Joseph’s, are barely getting by, and social distancing has played a huge role in why some businesses are doing great and have other businesses scared of going bankrupt.
A great example is Amazon, because they have always done all their business online, Therefore, the social distancing protocol we all follow to prevent spreading the virus has done nothing but help companies that make a lot of revenue online, and they are making even more online revenue than ever before as the pandemic continues. There also companies, like Zoom, that most people had never heard of before the pandemic, that they now have to rely on their services on a daily basis just to do their job.
However, there are certain type of companies that depend on customers coming into their store, because you cannot get what they have to offer anywhere online. There are certain things that used to be essential to our everyday lives but are no longer as important today because of the pandemic.
With so many people working from home, things like nice clothes for work are no longer essential as other products become more essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the people that are working from home, it is more important to have a reliable computer to communicate with colleagues and customers than it is to have nice clothes to wear to a meeting.
Now that a lot of people are conducting business and communicating with colleagues through services like Zoom, they don’t have to worry about dressing up because they can work in T-shirts, sweatpants or pajamas. Therefore, few people feel the need to buy expensive clothes that make them appear professional, and most don’t feel the need to dress to impress anymore.
This domino effect has taken a considerable tole on the clothing business, especially high-end clothing businesses that tailor clothes to make them fit exactly the way they are supposed to fit. People don’t have to worry as much about their appearance, but they should because people judge others by the way they dress before even speaking to one another. There is truth to the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but we have been guilty of doing exactly that, whether intentional or not, at some point in our lives.
It’s a fact of life that appearance plays a big role in the way others view each other. It’s does not have to be intentional, but everyone has made some judgement about someone they do not know based solely on appearance. Many people think that is a bad thing, but is it really a bad thing to take pride in your appearance?
When a person looks their best, it gives them a boost in their confidence. No one is going to feel confident about themselves dressed in a T-shirt and shorts at a funeral or wedding, and they shouldn’t because they are dressed inappropriately. There are times in life that one must look their best, but those times are becoming further apart because of COVID-19.
This pandemic is doing serious damage to high-end clothing stores, like James Davis Men’s Clothier, Oak Hall and Joseph’s women’s clothing store. For decades, these are clothing stores that have been significant to many people’s lives that take pride in their appearance, as well as playing a prominent role in customer service done right in Memphis. You are not going to get even close to the same type of customer service at Macy’s that you will get at James Davis, Oak Hall or Joseph’s.
James Davis vice president, Rob Joyner, has been in the men’s clothing business for 40 years beginning at the age of 17. Through the year’s Joyner has worked his way up to being the vice president of one of, if not, the most preeminent men’s clothing stores in Memphis. With the experience Joyner has in the men’s clothing business, he knows the importance of looking your best and what it does for your confidence.
“When you’re dressed well, people make a decision on who and what you are before your mouth ever opens, “Joyner said. “Before a question is ever answered, people make a decision and put you in a certain spot by how you look. You may not believe it, but that’s just my opinion.”
However, the longer this pandemic lasts, the less and less people are going to care about their appearance. That’s a sad realization to face, because people should take pride in their appearance. When you look good, you feel good, and that’s just a fact of life.
Other high-end clothing stores, like Oak Hall, have been affected by the pandemic in many difficult ways as well. The most devastating way the pandemic hurt Oak Hall was when they had to close their store for eight weeks. However, they were negatively affected in plenty of ways, like having to adjust their inventory and cancel orders. The lack of socialization and major events, like the Kentucky Derby, took a good chunk of their sales away. Their sales were also affected by the lack of weddings and parties overt the summer.
Oak Hall’s men’s accessories buyer, Paul Kauerz, AKA , “The Mayor of Oak Hall”, has noticed that the pandemic has affected retail stores in a negative way, and believes that boat and camper dealers have done the best during the pandemic.
“Go to any outdoors store and try to buy a boat”, Kauerz said. “You can’t because they’re sold out.”
Kauerz also believes that the landscaping business has thrived during the pandemic as well, while the clothing retail business continues to struggle.
“With a lot of people not buying clothes, they are working on their gardens.” Kauerz said. “So, at Dan West Garden Center, everyday has been like the day before Easter.”
It’s not just Men’s retail clothing that has been impacted negatively by COVID-19. Even the women’s clothing store, Joseph’s, which is undeniably considered the best women’s clothing store in Memphis and has been in business for 90 years the has suffered from the pandemic.
Joseph’s women’s clothing store had to close their store for eight weeks, like Oak Hall. They have had to limit their capacity of customers, always wear masks, socially distance themselves and check the temperatures of the people coming into the store. However, their online stores and curb-side pickup helped them a lot stay financially afloat.
President and Owner of Joseph’s, Barry Wurzburg, acknowledged that things have been different than normal with her store throughout the time of this pandemic, but she believes her store will return to normal when the pandemic is over.
“People come to Joseph’s for the experience.” Wurzburg said. “Our customers love shopping with us and have developed great relationships with our employees.”
Clothing stores like these three are nothing like Macy’s or a J.C. Penny’s. These stores have extremely loyal customers. People that shop at these stores don’t buy clothes anywhere else, because they develop a solid report with certain sales employees. People that go there, go there because they know they can trust the sales employees to find them the perfect item of clothing, and they will make sure it fits exactly like it should. Even when the customer doesn’t know what they’re looking for, the sales employee will help you figure out what it is you’re looking for, and if they don’t have it in the store, they will order it right away.
These type of clothing stores also have the best tailors around that will work with you on how an article of clothing is supposed to fit while also making it comfortable for the customer. At these stores, even the tailors know what the store’s customers like, as well as how they prefer their clothes to fit.
Unlike major chain stores, James Davis, Oak Hall and Joseph’s do not try to force a sale, throw the piece of clothing in a bag and collect their commission. Instead, they work with you to try find a customer’s particular style. They know if they keep their clientele happy, that a customer will always come back to them when they’re buying clothes.
These are special clothing stores that offer special experiences for their customers while they’re shopping for clothes. They care about the way you look more than commission, because they know if they’re good at their job that customer will continually come to you for all their clothing needs. These three stores will go way out of their way to ensure the customer looks great for any occasion, and that sets them apart from your regular clothing stores at a shopping mall. They don’t want their customers to look around and just see clothes, but instead, want their customers to have their trust that they will always make sure you look you’re best.
These stores mean so much to the customers. It’s a place they can shop for clothes while feeling like they’re in good hand and great company. These are more than clothing stores. These stores are a way of life for people, and it would incredibly sad if this pandemic causes any of these three stores to shut down for good.
Tripp Vistica 