After 80 Years in Edwardsville, Imber’s Men’s Wear Announces Quitting Business Sale

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Imber’s Men’s Wear, which has served the local community for 80 years, is going out of business and will sell its entire inventory, owner Alan Legow announced today.

The store’s inventory sale opens to the public on Thursday. Imber’s Men’s Wear, located at 144 N. Main St., will be open 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday during the sale.

Legow recently sold the 2,000-square-foot building his store has occupied for decades. Another local business will move into that location at some date after Imber’s inventory sale is completed.

The grandson of the company’s founder, Legow said his professional focus has evolved since his 2006 launch of A.L. Custom Clothiers. Through that venture, Legow goes directly to clients’ homes and businesses to serve their custom clothing needs.

“It’s become very successful and it’s my real passion,” Legow said. “Because of its growth, I’ve had to divide my time between it and the store. I’ve struggled with the decision over the last few years but, in the end, closing the store is the right thing to do.”

Imber’s was founded in Belleville 90 years ago by Legow’s grandfather, Hyman Imber. As the business grew and flourished, the Imber family eventually operated six stores in the area. Legow began working at the Edwardsville store in 1976 after college.

Over time, however, many independent Main Street clothing stores across the nation have faced a number of challenges ranging from big box stores and online competitors to more casual workplace dress codes that changed buying habits.

“Back then, family stores flourished,” Legow said. “Today, I really don’t need a storefront to do the custom clothing work that I do. The timing was really right to move this change.”

He added, “I appreciate the community’s support over so many years and can’t thank our customers enough for their loyalty. I’ll always be grateful to them and the many, many friends we’ve made through Imber’s. I look forward to continuing to serve them through my custom clothing business as we go forward.”

####