SHOPPING IN CHARLOTTE: TAYLOR RICHARDS & CONGER AND PAUL SIMON

Taylor Richards & Conger: Luxury Rules

Scott Morgan met Glen Taylor in 1987. “I needed a blue blazer, so I walked into this tiny 700 square foot store and every item was so tasty… I knew I had to be part of it. I bought a Hugo Boss DB blazer in 1987, joined the business part-time in ’88, full-time in 1990, and bought into it in ‘96. Charlotte in the early ‘90s was exploding: I can’t believe it’s been 34 full-time years!”

With a laser focus on beautiful luxury fashion, TRC menswear is stronger than ever (they dropped women’s in 2021). Zegna, Canali, Cucinelli, Isaia, and Kiton account for much of store volume, with a growing second tier of lesser-known Italian brands including Pescarolo and Manto. Elevated sportswear has been very hot since Covid, including sweater jackets, soft suede blazers, and DB cardigans. Soft sport coat business is also strong, opening at $995 (Munro, LBM) and Coppley ($1495, a bigger fit and beautiful fabrics) up to the luxury Italian brands.

Morgan attributes the store’s success to great sellers and great relationships with both customers and vendors. “We have incredible customers; many bring their sons in to shop so we’re now also marketing to young guys. Munro has become a fast-growing partnership.”

Also growing: a website and online business that now reaches customers in 41 states. “We just sold a $3500 sport coat to a guy in Chicago. We’re excited to enter our next chapter…

Paul Simon: A Creative Mix

Jon Simon has been shopping the menswear market with his dad since he was 12-years-old. Now running his beautiful store in Southpark, he’s delighted that his dad still comes to market with him. “We still have these special times together and it means the world to me…” Jon confides.

The store is decorated with beautiful paintings by his dad, an artist as well as a merchant. It’s also filled with a creative array of merchandise, both men’s and women’s. “We try to mix it up rather than show individual brands head-to-toe. It allows more personality, encouraging customers to make their own fashion statements.”

Recent men’s business has been strong, Jon confirms, driven by sportscoats, five-pockets, nice shirts and sneakers. “Belts are the accessory of the moment: we carry a lot of good resources. Key clothing brands include Castangia, Belvest, Samuelsohn, Jack Victor, Boglioli and Corneliani.”
Asked how he’s planning fall/holiday ’24, Jon says he’s expecting a good season but he’s holding back a bit. “I’m seeing a lot of good knitwear, some beautiful woven shirts, but probably too much flannel for the South. I’m bringing in a small percentage of single pleats in pants but overall, I’ll be cautious…”

Asked what he’s learned from his dad, Jon is thoughtful. “I’ve learned to be genuine: my dad has always been one to be perfectly candid with everyone, and he modeled the art of dealing with people. He also taught me to work some humor into everything I do. Often our times together are like an SNL skit—there’s always a lot of laughter. When we’d go to market together over the years, he’d find humor in almost every situation. This helps keeps business in perspective and makes it more enjoyable. I’m grateful that our SNL dialogs continue to this day.”

Photo, top, by Wes Hicks.