04.10.2008 What makes Loehmann’s so different?

“Loehmann’s is like a drug.”

“I once went on a 4 hour lunch break, no kidding! How did that happen? Loehmann’s. “

“My heart races, my palms sweat, the fervor to get. that. bargain. doesn’t end until it has been gotten”.

“Confession: I once spent $1000 in a day here getting that bargain. Sick.”        

Real quotes from Real Loehmann’s Shoppers 

The concept of discounted clothing is not a new idea anymore. With the economic slowdowns and everyone watching their dollars, it is the sale that rues the day and brings the majority of shoppers into a store. Call it a sale, call it a discount, or call it an outlet; no one really wants to pay full price.

If we go back in time, there is a noticeable absence of the true discount clothing department store. It wasn’t invented yet. The history of every single discount store owes homage to one woman: Frieda Loehmann.

In 1921, Frieda Loehmann, a confidante of NY’s 7th Avenue designers started purchasing the  seasonal overstocks at a fraction of wholesale prices and passing the savings to consumers. That idea took hold and grew, obviously, into Loehmann’s, but also into all the discounted fashion stores and mainstream culture as well. When you shop at Loehmann’s, you are shopping the original.  Loehmann’s has kept true to their origins as well; obtaining merchandise directly from the original manufacturers. 

 Another distinguishing trait of Loehmann’s is the way the products are merchandized. Many discount clothing establishments will groups all the “like” clothing together making a shopper comb though racks and racks of generic “skirts” to find the real treasures. In Loehmann’s, however, due to their emphasis on discounted designer wares, clothing is separated by the actual name brands on the racks.   This allows a time sensitive shopper to “only hit the DKNY finds”.

Depending on what is available, Loehmann’s buyers also purchase designer collections directly form Europe, not just the US fashion market.  The original price tags are marked in Euros and can bring a unique international feeling to a suburban shopping experience.

Of course, one of the most original traits about Loehmann’s is The Fitting Rooms. They are so legendary that they require their own post.  The famous “Back Room” is not always a separate room or even in the back depending on your local stores layout, but still demands to be “the” place to find the hottest designer looks at mere fractions of the original pricing.

All and all, Loehmann’s still reigns as the first and the original. The fashion steals that are found here will continue to be passed down as mythical stories from generation to generation. While the “shopping tales” might get slightly embellished over time and cause the listener to question the truth of the bargain, true Loehmann’s hunter’s will nod their heads in understanding. If we could only click our heels and be in a shopper’s paradise, there is no place we would rather go.

“I am a shopaholic and Loehmann’s is my holy grail.
No matter what I’m doing or where I’m going, casual or formal,my first shopping stop is at Loehmann’s…it’s where my favorite designer jeans came from, my  interview suit, all my favorite shoes…there is nowhere better and nowhere I’d rather go.”