January 2012

       We shall not cease from exploration
        And the end of all our exploring
        Will be to arrive where we started
        And know the place for the first time.   -T.S. Eliot
  
     Since our beginnings in 1905, FL Crooks & Co has been on a mission to serve our community with quality men's and women's clothing, shoes, and accessories.  Fashion counts as does value and substance.  And we are working hard to make 2012 the best year yet!  Honoring our heritage in the retail environent requires a fine balance between representing the 'tried and true' and introducing new products to our valued customers.

     One of our favorite 'tried and true' labels, Hart Schaffner Marx, turns 125 years old this year.  To mark the milestone, its parent company, HMX Group, is creating a capsule collection.  "There are six or seven men's pieces that make up this collection," said Joseph Abboud, president and chief creative officer.  "I looked back at the last 70 to 80 years at what have been the most iconic pieces," he stated.  "Things that are antifashion, beautiful, simple and just great style.  These are pieces that are found in every guy's wardrobe, but updated to be appropriate today."  The anniversary allows the company to tout its long-standing Made in America posture.  The brand produces 200,000 units domestically every year with distinct American styling.

    Along with Hart Schaffner Marx, other prominent labels that FL Crooks & Co offers to our valued customers are Alberto pants, Haupt shirts, Spiewak coats, Wigens caps, Tommy Bahama men's clothing as well as Mountain Khakis and Bill's Khakis.

    Sportswear continues to play an integral role in the business generated at FL Crooks & Co.  The North Face, Patagonia, Ibex and SmartWool are the major players featured in our 10,000 feet of retail space. 

     FL Crooks & Co will be introducing "Beija-Flor" this spring, a new jean line.  Targeting the modern woman, these jeans, designed by the mother-daughter team of Kathy Moca and Emilie Whitaker, are designed for women who want stylish, unique jeans that fit great as well.  "Beija-Flor" will complement our extensive inventory of the popular Not Your Daughter's Jeans, as well as Mavi, Miss Me, and Silver jeans.

     Our strong emphasis on footwear includes UGGs, Keen, Merrell, NAOT, Dansko, Kenneth Cole, Johnston & Murphy, Timberland and Crocs.   New additions in the shoe department for Spring 2012 will include 9West and BCBG shoes in the women's department.
 
  In the accessories department Brighton continues to sparkle brightly.  The Brighton shop has expanded greatly and is better than ever, featuring fanciful necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  Our staff is excited about an upcoming Pandora promotion for four days in March.  Spend $100 and receive a Pandora clasp bracelet with a retail value of $65.  The Pandora collection has recently added 8 new silver beads, $25 each.  Our Pandora collection features bracelets as well as necklaces, earrings and rings.  The jewelery line, Kameleon, has recently been added to further enhance our extensive accessories collection.

  To a degree, everything in this world is judged by how long it has lasted.  FL Crooks & Co is celebrating 107 years in business in 2012, cherishing the past and allowing the new to propel our company into the future.