Karen Alberg Grossman

Not every merchant is born for retailing but for Steve Zangrillo, it was both a calling and an obsession. His daughter Gina sums up a life well-lived: “My dad was a WW11 veteran, born, raised and educated in Darien Ct. His first job was for Pitney Bowes in Stamford; he would hitchhike to and from work. On weekends, he was a caddie, with a passion for golf that our entire family still shares. At some point, Steve’s dad, a roofer by trade, disparaged Steve’s career choice, suggesting that he open a store in Darien to compete with Bob’s Sports, a hot spot owned by Bob Mallozzi. Obeying orders, my dad rented a tiny space in 1946. (How I wish he’d chosen a store with a different name: the Sports connotation has haunted us over the years…)” Gina explains her dad’s uncanny ability to study people and project trends. “When I first joined the company, I was amazed at his Learning from the past to ensure the future predictive powers. He’d sit by the front door and watch women walk in, bedecked in quilted jackets and Burberry handbags. So he brought in Burberry, our first major fashion brand, and it quickly became a Darien staple.

The original Harpers store, first called Young Men’s Shop, was founded in 1926 by Brian Cohen’s grandfather, Joseph F. Cohen, in downtown Altoona, Pa. That same year, a gentleman by the name of Jack Harper opened a similar store in State College, across from the University, also with tasteful merchandise and high standards. The two stores eventually joined forces. In 2017, Brian and his wife Lisa moved the store up the block on College Ave and expanded space to 8,000 square feet. In 2019, they further expanded Harper’s Varsity Club, filling it with Penn State logo product from respected brands. A smaller (310 square feet) but impactful shop was designed for the lobby of a new on-campus hotel.

Harry Rothman’s dad was tragically killed by a horse-drawn carriage when Harry was 15. Needing to support his family, Harry dropped out of school, then opened a tiny shop on Bleeker Street in 1926. Brothers Ken and Jim Giddon have been minding their stores, now in Bronxville, Scarsdale, and Union Square, for 40 years (Ken) and 35 (Jim). Here, we speak with them about challenges and opportunities.

There were lots of hugs and even some tears as Fred Derring and Virginia Sandquist announced at their Chicago Collective

“Never have I had a more difficult task than selecting 15 photos to go on my MR schmoozing page.”

It is with very mixed emotions that Ellen and David Levy, owners of the landmark 171-year-old men’s and women’s fashion emporium in Nashville, have decided to close their doors at the end of this year.

“Guys are shopping with a new sense of intentionality.” Dan Trepanier, Articles of Style

Do you ever wonder how great fashion designers get started? Meet EJ! He’s not yet a teenager but wow: could this talented kid portend fashion’s future?

How many of us get to celebrate their father’s 100-year birthday with him? Happiest of birthdays on August 28 th to Phil Elkus! And many thanks to his son David and nephew Ron for sharing some of Phil’s inspiring story.

Here: a few favorite finds from the August Chicago Collective!