After 27 Years in Eastridge Village, Leibowitz Menswear Moves to East Hills Mall as Owner Prepares for Strong Future
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Leibowitz Fine Menswear, one of the city’s century-plus businesses, is making a move to a new home after 27 years in Eastridge Village, owner Mark Antle said today.
“It’s the right time, really. We have a wonderful new opportunity to go to the mall. It’s a healthy retail environment and it’s a good move for us,” Antle said. “My son, Myles, is 27 and he’s in the business. We’re not looking back; we’re looking forward and asking, ‘What are we going to be doing five and 10 years from now?'”
The store, located at 3831 Frederick Ave., Eastridge Village, is holding a moving sale that opens to the public on Thursday in preparation for its new setting on an outside spot in the East Hills Mall. The current location will be open 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday during the sale.
The clothier has been a retail fixture in St. Joseph since Joe and Ester Leibowitz opened in the downtown in October 1912. It was one of the last retailers to leave the downtown shopping district in the 1980s when it moved to Eastridge Village.
At the time, Antle noted, Eastridge Village was the home to a number of retailers, including two men’s stores, two women’s stores and a jeweler. Over the years, it has become a more service-based location with professional offices taking center stage.
“We’re also tucked back in a corner. Our business has been great because we continue to be a destination for shoppers, especially our long-time customers, but a move to East Hills is right for so many reasons,” Antle said. “There’s plenty of parking, strong foot traffic and it will give us much better visibility so we can be more easily seen and introduce ourselves to a whole new group of customers.”
Leibowitz, which has long been recognized as the region’s leading men’s clothing store, specializes in a number of business, dress and casual brands often not available at big box stores. Its new location is designed to create an inviting environment
“I’ve talked to a number of guys with independent clothing stores like ours. We have to practically reinvent ourselves all the time to keep up with customer expectations,” he said. “Customers do expect more from us and they should. We have some great plans for the future. I’m excited.”
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