Page 4 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

WEARHOUSE, Continued from page 3 the gap of racism and prejudice.
This store is a place where I can
of yore have since become the par- treat anyone as if they were my fam-
ents of today. What’s it like seeing dif- ily. Regardless of whether they wish
ferent generations—moms and dads to buy or not.
and sons and daughters—shopping CC: Where do you see Designer
together? Wearhouse, say, five or 10 years
ZC: It’s something I can’t put into from now?
words. It’s definitely a humbling ex- SM: I would like to see an ex-
perience. Not only did I see this per- panded presence and, possibly, in
son grow up, but I also get to see more than one location.
their offspring. It’s gratifying that this ZC: That is very possible. I would
store has lasted that long. just like to keep the legacy going—
CC: One thing that strikes me and develop a greater online selling
about DW is its uniqueness. Without presence.
giving away your secret, how do you CC: Final question. In this day
obtain your inventory? and age when apps get top billing,
ZC: There are local shows, big why should consumers take the time
convention shows in Las Vegas, New to visit your store in person?
York, and other states, and brands SM: Oh, definitely because of our
from all over the world come to these customer service, which we hear a
buying conventions. That was before lot about from our customers. It’s
the pandemic, of course. But technol- the personal interaction…from a
ogy has changed the business family business.
tremendously. Now we have access Clarence Conners folding new merchandise at Designer Wearhouse. ZC: And to actually see the prod-
to even more companies through Shane interacted with customers SM: Being able to converse with uct. To see it on you. That’s some-
their websites. Companies also have and how natural it was for him. Plus, all different types of people. Our cus- thing that you can’t get it through an
sales reps who come directly to your he enjoyed it. To be in business— tomers come from everywhere—as app.
store, and you can pick your product and be successful—you have to love far as Jackson and Grand Rapids. Designer Wearhouse is located at
that way. it. Our clientele is diverse. 35028 W. Michigan Ave (at the north-
CC: I can only image how jarring CC: Would you say that you’ve ZC: That is definitely the best as- east corner of Wayne Road and
COVID was to your business. Shane, been able to totally rebound since pect. For me, it’s about narrowing Michigan Avenue) in Wayne.
you joined the company in August of COVID?
2020, and it put you on an entirely ZC: I didn’t think people would
different path, right? consider buying clothes. Yes, you
must buy food, water, and medicine.
Shane Mroue: I got into construc- But clothes were at the bottom of the
tion at the age of 19, right out of high list, in my mind. I thought this was
school. When COVID hit, I was a the end. But we reopened in May of
field supervisor for a construction 2020, and we implemented as many
company that specialized in commer- safety measures as we could. I was
cial & industrial flooring…until I got shocked that people were coming—
laid off. While I’m grateful to have we didn’t understand why or from
learned a trade, I fell in love with re- where. And that went on month after
tail. month after month. So, our doors
ZC: I have always relied on family have remained open.
when I’m in need of help, and my CC: What would you say is the
nephews have always played a big best thing about having a clothing
part in that. And I saw how well store?

4 · April 2022 · The Wayne Dispatch