In the Marketplace

In the Marketplace By Deborah Schapiro, photos by Dan Epstein Local Threads From suits to T-shirts, Crookhorns offers "everything a guy needs to look great," its owner says. Classy and convenient, this shop has you covered. Literally. Shopo wner M ichae l Croo k horn M ichael Crookhorn spent 10 years in wholesale men's fashion, representing designers to top department stores and independent retailers. Before that, he gained experience as a retailer at Nordstrom's. So by the time he decided to open his own shop in Upper Montclair, the Clifton resident had, in his own words, "a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't in selling menswear." One thing that definitely works is convenience. With this in mind, Michael made sure that his shop, which will celebrate its first anniversary in February, "offers one-stop shopping for the sophisticated man." Customers can buy everything from boxer shorts to business suits, dress shirts, and sportswear in sizes from small to triple extralarge. Clearly, Michael considers every type of customer when he selects his merchandise, not just the "perfect" fit. Of all the selections, the perennial best-seller is the casual sports coat, the shop owner attests. Why? "They can always be dressed up or down," Michael says. With winter almost here, cashmere sweaters and outerwear are also top sellers. To go with them, Crookhorns offers accessories including belts, socks, watches, cufflinks, sunglasses, umbrellas, and even toiletry kits. For a relatively small store, Crookhorns sells an amazing variety of top brands, from the casual Geox and Cutter & Buck to the ultra-luxurious Begg Scotland and The Art of Shaving. Other designers include UGG, Marcoliani, Torino, Coppley, Jack Victor, Persol, and Agave. For the man who wants to be his own designer, Michael will help him create a made-to-measure custom suit or shirt. Something else that works in selling menswear (or anything else, for that matter) is great customer service: Crookhorns offers complimentary beverages, alterations on purchases, gift-wrapping, wardrobe consultation, and home delivery. Service means convenience, too, and Michael satisfies today's busy man by opening his shop seven days a week. The day-to-day business also means his shop can offer faster turnaround than similarly sized shops. Growing up near Montclair, Michael always felt that there was a niche to be filled in town: sophisticated menswear. Crookhorns Menswear fills that niche—and its owner couldn't be happier. "This is a great community, filled with residents who like to shop locally," he says. "We love it here." s Crookhorns Menswear 242 Bellevue Avenue, Upper Montclair 973-746-9300 Winter 2009 SuburbanEssex.com 53

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