The Young Men’s Shop—opened by Henry Reuben on the Downtown Mall in 1927—is closing its doors after nearly 90 years of selling tailored suits and brightly colored ties.
“It’s been here basically for 89 years and I guess it’s just a part of Charlottesville,” says current owner Harry Marshall, who says he’ll miss interacting with his customers.
Marshall bought the shop from Harry O’Mansky in 1977 and, 20 years later, moved it to Seminole Square, where it was called YMS Clothiers Ltd. for a brief period.
The Young Men’s Shop was welcomed back to the mall in 2008, and Marshall says it has kept a loyal following of well-dressed men while also welcoming tourists and UVA students. Along with classic suits and ties, the store also carries popular retail brands such as Southern Tide and Southern Fried Cotton.
Marshall has plenty of retirement plans after giving his shop its final farewell later this year: golfing, hunting, scuba diving, traveling and motorcycling, just to name a few. Maybe he’ll even go after his pilot’s license, he says.