Since its establishment 43 years ago, Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men has survived numerous changes in downtown Pittsfield (157 North Street), the national economy, and unforeseen challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over that time, it has become an anchor retail operation in the city center and a regional destination for customers who travel from as far afield as New York and Connecticut to shop there. “We’re extremely grateful that our customers and the community have supported us over the years,” said founder Steven Valenti, whose son Evan became co-owner ten years ago.
The Valentis further solidified the store’s position in 2023 when they purchased the building that houses it, after having been tenants there. “I see my role as continuing to build on the legacy of the business,” said Evan, praising his father’s tenacity and vision. “I’m really proud of my dad,” he shared. “He went out on a limb to start this store at a difficult time. He deserves a lot of credit for making it through that period and the subsequent issues that have arisen over time. He had a concept and was proven to be right.”
According to Steven, the store’s mission is the same as it was when he founded it. “Our goal is to provide a full range of quality men’s apparel, in a comfortable setting with great personal service,” he explained. “We want everyone to feel welcome.” The selection ranges from business attire and suits to casual wear, such as sport shirts, t-shirts, pants, and accessories. The rental of tuxedos and formal wear for weddings, proms, and other events represents another significant segment of its business. “We cater to a wide cross-section of men and offer clothing in different price ranges,” Steven said, adding that they are oriented to all demographics, from professionals to tradespeople.
He also credits the store’s longevity to the habits of its customers. “Men aren’t really shoppers,” he noted. “They are mission-driven and very goal-oriented when they shop. They don’t really enjoy browsing. They prefer to come in, find what they want, and get out. If you treat them well and make it easier for them to find the right items, they become very loyal.” That loyalty was fully realized during this year’s prom season. “For the first time, we saw members of the fourth generation of the families of our longtime customers,” Steven said.
Finding a niche
A native of Pittsfield, Steven graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1969, attended Bryant University in Rhode Island, and returned to his hometown to begin his career. He worked in several prominent downtown retail clothing stores at the time, including Besse Clark, Mike’s Berkshire Hills Shop, and Brothership Clothing.
“Each store had a different orientation and base of customers,” he explained. “I was like a sponge and learned every aspect of the business, including how to create a homelike environment. Finally, I decided to take a leap of faith and strike out on my own. So I opened this store.”
While he said he felt confident in his concept, he was aware it carried a risk. “The scary part was the financing,” he acknowledged. “Interest rates at the time were 18 percent, so there were some nervous moments at the beginning.” He points to establishing a solid niche as the key to his success. “We’ve seen a lot of changes both in downtown Pittsfield and in national retailing,” he said. “We saw the mall come and go, and changes as GE left the area. But we survived.”
All in the family
Steven noted that his family boasts other entrepreneurs. His wife, Carolyn, owns Carolyn Valenti Flowers, a well-reputed floral arrangement service. Another son, Michael, owns an architecture and building firm.
Evan, who is 35, studied journalism at Syracuse University with the goal of a career in media. Returning to Pittsfield, he was a morning host on radio station WBRK and produced and hosted a sports podcast. He also worked part-time at his father’s store. Eventually, the pace of working three jobs caught up with him. “It suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks that I didn’t want to keep up that pace,” Evan said. “It was a grind and wasn’t making me happy. So I took the weekend to think about it. On Monday morning, I decided that working in the store was what I wanted to do. I then shifted to working here full-time but still do a weekly podcast, which satisfies that side of me.”
With a staff of eight employees, Steven has transferred the primary responsibility for running the store to Evan while remaining actively involved. “Owners of retail businesses don’t really retire, and people who continue to work seem to remain vital and live longer,” he said. “I still enjoy coming in to help. I see my role now as providing support to Evan and our associates so they can focus on the store and serving customers.”
For his part, Evan is committed to building on the store’s legacy. “The fashion industry is constantly in flux, so one task is to keep up with that,” he said, noting that they are currently expanding their men’s shoe offerings.
Past challenges and future plans
Steven cited the previous financial downturn in downtown Pittsfield, as well as the pandemic, as particularly challenging times. In 2018, they added a limited selection of merchandise for women. “We did that primarily because nearby women’s clothing stores had closed, and we wanted to provide an option for women as a service,” Evan said. “However, since then, other businesses have opened up for women’s fashion, and we would rather support those businesses.”
The Valentis believe that overall, the momentum of North Street is on an upswing. “We have the Beacon Cinema and Barrington Stage Company and other attractions now,” Evan said. “There is a lot of investment coming in, and the city has been very supportive of businesses. So I’m confident in the future of downtown.”
The father-son team is also confident that the store is well-positioned to remain competitive with online retailing because of their emphasis on service. “Some of the younger people who come in are surprised because they are not used to being actually waited on in a store,” said Steven. “That’s one of our strengths. It’s always been a priority to help people feel better when they leave because of their experience here.”
