BOARDMAN – When the pandemic hit, facemasks became a fashion statement at Suzanne’s women’s clothing store.
“We have sold thousands of facemasks from one of our vendors in LA,” says Suzanne Kessler, founder and president of the store. “It was one of the first fashion moments of the year post-March and it was refreshing to see how people were wearing vibrant printed masks to make the best of this situation.”
The year 2020 marked the 45th anniversary of the store, but the pandemic forced Kessler to drop the celebration and come up with a survival plan.
The store at 613 Boardman Poland Road was forced to close from March until late May.
“My son, Henry, works in the marketing side of the fashion industry in New York and found himself home during the shutdown,” Kessler says. “He was able to help generate online sales through Facebook and direct emails to customers, showcasing what was arriving and what was on sale. We increased our Facebook presence and were excited to receive orders from our local customers as well as from people across the country.”
The staff also helped generate content for Suzanne’s social media channels during the shutdown, and continues to do so since reopening.
But Kessler noted that her store is built around strong interpersonal relationships.
“We have customers who have shopped in the store since I opened 45 years ago and others that are coming in for the first time,” she says. “I’m glad to be able to welcome everyone back and hope to brighten their day with some fun fashion!”