THE END OF AN ERA: DON RHODA RETIRES, THE RED BARN CLOSES

After 56 years of providing luxury clothing and accessories to the Rochester community, owner Don Rhoda will retire and close The Red Barn’s doors.

Rhoda established The Red Barn Fine Apparel in 1964 to provide Rochester‘s gentlemen with the finest European and American clothing and accessories, and unparalleled customer service. The Red Barn was designated for seven consecutive years as “Best in Class” in Esquire magazine’s list of the best men’s specialty stores in the country. The store moved to Pittsford Plaza and expanded to serve ladies and young men, managed by Rhoda’s wife Pamela with the same commitment to quality and service.

Rhoda has seen generations of Rochester families come through The Red Barn. “Many of my early customers eventually brought their children to the store, and now their grandchildren shop here. From helping customers feel ready for a big interview, or dressing families for weddings and bar mitzvahs, customers have invited me into their most important moments, and that has been the greatest privilege of my career.”

On Thursday, November 14 the store will open for a final “Retirement Sale.” Freshly stocked with current styles from exclusive brands, everything storewide will be marked from 20% to 50% off, with further reductions while inventory lasts. The antiques, art, furniture, and fixtures collected and custom-made over Rhoda’s decades in business will also be available.

Rhoda maintains that he feels “fortunate to have worked in a profession I love, within a community that has supported and inspired me for so many decades. So, this is bittersweet, but it’s time.” What’s next for the Rhodas? “We haven’t been able to have a real rest or vacation in a long time,” he says. And after that? “We’ll see…”