Through the Years with FL Crooks & Co - June 2011

"Change is the essence of life" said Anatole France.  Whether we embrace change or not, it truly is an inevitable part of life.  We can certainly see change in the world of commerce, of shopping, in retail sales. 

At FL Crooks & Co, we have going what can be referred to as a 'brick & click' establishment, the 'brick' referring to the actual physical presence of the building and the 'click' being our online presence - www.flcrooks.com.

Taking a look back, FL Crooks, our founder,  started working as a boy for Arnold Brothers in the building at the intersection across from the Clarion County courthouse.  He was industrious, well-liked and affable, and saved enough to start a pants store across the street when he was in his early 20's.

JM, his younger brother, sold goods to many general stores in the area with a horse and buggy in the early part of the 1900's, becoming FL's partner in the 1920's.  JM then bought the store from FL in 1929.  JM's sons, Paul and Donald, were involved with businesses in the Clarion area, while JM's son, Richard, operated a clothing store in Brookville.  Donald's wife, Bernadette, added women's clothing and accessories to the Clarion clothing store in 1969.  Donald and Bernadette's son, James, became an integral part of the retail establishment following his graduation from Clarion University.

A lovely new addition greatly expanded the space of the Clarion store in 1991. 

Then, along came the internet technology to buy clothing with the 'click' of a finger.  James' son, Nathan, developed a website for the store when in high school, and www.flcrooks.com became a viable force, enabling the store to have a national and world-wide presence, to complement our local sales.

Earlier this week, I received a call from a farmer in Dodge, Nebraska, who wanted to buy a few pairs of ALBERTO pants.  "I thought that I would buy from you", he said, "because you have a 5-star rating and your business started in 1905.  I thought that was a good combination and a place where I would enjoy doing business."  He realized what a rarity a third generation family business is in this era.

Shipping for the internet department is handled through the US Post Office, as well as UPS and Fed Ex.  Orders over $100 receive free shipping.  Orders under $100 are $4.99.   UPS Ground shipping will reach most of the areas in the eastern half of the US in only 1 or 2 days.

Embracing technology, embracing change - FL Crooks & Co - "Where You Have Never Looked So Good!"--