Out and about in Cleveland today, I spent the afternoon doing some last minute Christmas shopping (the last minute makes you the most productive – don’t forget it). Eventually I ventured over to Cuffs Clothing – one of my favorite shops. I was thinking just last week that stores like Cuffs in Chagrin Falls and O’Connell’s in Buffalo are two truly unique menswear shops that set the standard for specialty retail in America. When I go to Cuffs I can’t help but to think how the selection is both classic and modern at the same time, with an emphasis on quality. Cuff’s sells brands like Crockett & Jones, Brioni, Kiton, Charvet, Barbour, Southwick and Oxxford – among others. Also, Cuffs has what I think is the only remaining Hermès shop-in-shop in the United States. And all of this in a world where many specialty retailers are either painfully boring or going out of business.
To be great, specialty shops need to have a great perspective and to provide better service than the big stores do. Both of these qualities are certainly present at Cuffs and O’Connell’s, not to mention dozens of other great stores in the U.S. To me, buying from places like Cuffs and supporting independent shops is something that just feels right. I was lucky enough to travel all over the world this year and Cuff’s is as interesting as anything I saw anywhere. For that to happen in the Cleveland suburbs (of all places) just means that it can happen in any city – which is something that gives me hope for the future of specialty retail. If you ever find yourself in Northeast Ohio, stop in to see Cuff’s, you won’t be disappointed.
More on Cuff’s here.
amazing how a specialty store like this can survive seemingly in the middle of nowhere
…in the middle of nowhere. The narcissism is a nice touch Tim.
tim echoes the same sentiment (“middle of nowhere”) that i was thinking- which betrays an urban mindset, i guess. anyway, this store seems fun enough.
It’s not the middle of nowhere, it’s the Great Middle America!
Well, I grew up in Northeast Ohio, and I’m going back to visit family in 2 weeks. I gotta say…When I read that it was in Chagrin Falls, I was Like “What??? How random is that?? That’s in the middle of nowhere”! LoL >;-)
As a product of the midwest, I can honestly say, this store is a peacock amoung pigeons, and very unique to the triple XXX sizes and football jersey that the local natives in Northeast Ohio, Don.
P.S. Who in God’s name were you out and about in Cleveland of all places? (perhaps I have a prejudice bias because I grew up there) ;-)
I remember discovering Cuffs while living in Cleveland to attend Case. The selection is second to none and the folks there are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks for featuring this treasure.
What a gem of a store. Though it’s clear their wares are of the highest quality, the shop is not at all pretentious in appearance. It’s evident that stores like this have shaped the Ralph Lauren brand.
I do miss living just 10 minutes away from O’Connell’s.
Just wishing ACL a very merry Christmas.
Having been born in Cleveland (now living in Seattle), it’s easy to forget how much parts of “The Western Reserve” look like New England. Thanks for the photos and a bit of nostalgia this holiday season.
Looks and sounds great. However, there are Hermes shop-in-shops in both Mitchell’s in Westport and Richard’s in Greenwich, CT (they’re owned by the same family). Probably because there are no Hermes shops in Connecticut that I’m aware of (though they may soon, like Cartier is, be pulling accounts in favor of opening shops). I also vaguely remember one in Aspen, CO, but I could be making that one up.
Wow, thanks for the post. Living in Ohio, I am going to have to make a trip there one day soon.
I thought Mr. Williams had “some ties” to NE Ohio, he loves talking about NE Ohio and showing the old photo’s from an era when NE Ohio ruled the manufacturing world.
Having lived in Ohio for 31 of my 36 years(I have traveled a lot for work across the US (my family is from Long Island)), Chargin Falls is not in the middle of “nowhere” and if you live in NE Ohio and can afford to live in Chargin you can not go wrong with the community, the schools or closeness to parks, things to do and awesome fishing on the Chargin River (fly of course)
Just my $.02 worth
If you are ever in Rocky River on the west side, check out Adesso. Nice place.
By no means is Chagrin Falls in the middle of nowhere. @Sir DySart. I don’t think you’ve ever been to Chagrin Falls.
Taking exception to a statement made more towards the sucess of a shop rather than a town with 4000 people is… missing the point of the post. My apologies to people who were upset with the comment. I should have said amazing how a specialty store like this can survive in such a small town.
also a Cleveland native, great seeing a store like this! makes me look forward to my next trip home!
I learned long ago not to be a snob and look down on other parts of the country but I do look down on people from other parts of the country who live in ny and look down on the natives there.
I grew up in Solon (next to Chagrin Falls) and miss everything about it. Great little town. A true throwback.
And Jeni’s is right there as well for some goddamn wonderful ice cream.