Jackson & Connor: Classically modern apparel for men … and women
By: Nicole Lashomb
TRT Editor-in-Chief
After years of working in the retail business, dynamic duo Tara “Jackson” Tetreault and Candice Connors put their experience, hard work and complimentary fortes together to launch the opening of Jackson & Connor, a contemporary men’s apparel store, in Thornes Marketplace in downtown Northampton, Mass.
Although Tetreault and Connors began their careers by working the floor at Taylor Men, both moved on to other companies, Tetreault as a seller and Connors as a merchandiser/buyer. The two crossed career paths once again as they worked together for different companies, each in their respective position.
Since their initial retail career, Taylor Men has since gone out of business and Tetreault took full advantage of such a business opportunity.
“I couldn’t believe that no one had filled the gap that Taylor Men had left. So, I decided to make a move but I did not want to do it alone. I called Candice. It took a little wine and a little convincing over dinner, but when we parted that night, we were on our way to creating Jackson & Connor,” said Tara ‘Jackson’ Tetreault, Co-owner, Jackson & Connor, Northampton, Mass.
Jackson & Connor, tagged as “classically modern apparel for men” has something for everyone, according to Tetreault.
“We have everything from casual to dress; Red Sox tees with hats and jeans and sandals to the Jhane Barnes suit with a dress shirt, tie and Italian leather shoes,” she said. “Whatever kind of man/woman you are, modern or classic, young or old, casual or dress, Jackson & Connor has you covered.”
According to Tetreault, Jackson & Connor is representative of the entire community at large and in the broad sense of their customer base.
“It is interesting for us coming from Taylor Men which was heavily male [oriented] that we hardly ever had any of the wives or girlfriends in to buy for the men, which is strange because as a statistic, women shop for men 46% of the time,” said Tetreault.
“On top of this, the LGBT community was also not apparent in the customer base of Taylor. Candice and I really wanted this [Jackson & Connor] to be different. We wanted an open store, a warm store, a place where everyone was welcome no matter who, what, how, why, whatever [they are]. I feel that we have done that.”
Since the opening of Jackson & Connor, Tetreault said that there was a clear void and need for a men’s apparel store, which also includes footwear, accessories, and personal care products.
“People have been thanking us up and down for opening up,” said Tetreault. “It feels good to be needed!”
Born and raised in Northampton and a graduate of Smith College, Tetreault is not a stranger to the large Northampton based LGBT community and notices it in her business.
“The LGBT community has supported us greatly and given us much feedback which we need,” she said. “[For example,] one thing we need to do is get smaller sizes in as soon as possible. We have already altered our buy for the fall 2008 to include smaller sizes for those of you that have mentioned it. Thanks!”
Experience and hard work some of the assets that Tetreault attributes to Jackson & Connors success.
“Jackson & Connor is really special, not only to us, but to the wider community at large because it is different,” she said. “[It] showcases our 20+ years of combined experience in the industry which is apparent in everything from the decor to the apparel to the level of customer service that we provide. Our lines are exclusive and not available everywhere. We took care to bring back some of the old Taylor favorites while brining in new elements to the area that were previously not available.”
Since the March opening, Tetreault said that they have received many positive remarks about the store, including the wide variety of apparel not limited to price. She said that customers will find an inviting space with warm walls, a pool table, animal skin rugs, huge dressing rooms of which people have asked to live in, a lounge area with a leather sofa for those shopping with the shoppers, a flat screen T.V. an antler chandelier, amongst other things.
“Come and see for yourself, the difference is extremely apparent!” said Tetreault.
Jackson & Connor is located at 150 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Thornes Marketplace, Northampton, Mass. For more information about Jackson & Connor, call Tara or Candice at (413) 586-4MEN.
By: Nicole Lashomb
TRT Editor-in-Chief
After years of working in the retail business, dynamic duo Tara “Jackson” Tetreault and Candice Connors put their experience, hard work and complimentary fortes together to launch the opening of Jackson & Connor, a contemporary men’s apparel store, in Thornes Marketplace in downtown Northampton, Mass.
Although Tetreault and Connors began their careers by working the floor at Taylor Men, both moved on to other companies, Tetreault as a seller and Connors as a merchandiser/buyer. The two crossed career paths once again as they worked together for different companies, each in their respective position.
Since their initial retail career, Taylor Men has since gone out of business and Tetreault took full advantage of such a business opportunity.
“I couldn’t believe that no one had filled the gap that Taylor Men had left. So, I decided to make a move but I did not want to do it alone. I called Candice. It took a little wine and a little convincing over dinner, but when we parted that night, we were on our way to creating Jackson & Connor,” said Tara ‘Jackson’ Tetreault, Co-owner, Jackson & Connor, Northampton, Mass.
Jackson & Connor, tagged as “classically modern apparel for men” has something for everyone, according to Tetreault.
“We have everything from casual to dress; Red Sox tees with hats and jeans and sandals to the Jhane Barnes suit with a dress shirt, tie and Italian leather shoes,” she said. “Whatever kind of man/woman you are, modern or classic, young or old, casual or dress, Jackson & Connor has you covered.”
According to Tetreault, Jackson & Connor is representative of the entire community at large and in the broad sense of their customer base.
“It is interesting for us coming from Taylor Men which was heavily male [oriented] that we hardly ever had any of the wives or girlfriends in to buy for the men, which is strange because as a statistic, women shop for men 46% of the time,” said Tetreault.
“On top of this, the LGBT community was also not apparent in the customer base of Taylor. Candice and I really wanted this [Jackson & Connor] to be different. We wanted an open store, a warm store, a place where everyone was welcome no matter who, what, how, why, whatever [they are]. I feel that we have done that.”
Since the opening of Jackson & Connor, Tetreault said that there was a clear void and need for a men’s apparel store, which also includes footwear, accessories, and personal care products.
“People have been thanking us up and down for opening up,” said Tetreault. “It feels good to be needed!”
Born and raised in Northampton and a graduate of Smith College, Tetreault is not a stranger to the large Northampton based LGBT community and notices it in her business.
“The LGBT community has supported us greatly and given us much feedback which we need,” she said. “[For example,] one thing we need to do is get smaller sizes in as soon as possible. We have already altered our buy for the fall 2008 to include smaller sizes for those of you that have mentioned it. Thanks!”
Experience and hard work some of the assets that Tetreault attributes to Jackson & Connors success.
“Jackson & Connor is really special, not only to us, but to the wider community at large because it is different,” she said. “[It] showcases our 20+ years of combined experience in the industry which is apparent in everything from the decor to the apparel to the level of customer service that we provide. Our lines are exclusive and not available everywhere. We took care to bring back some of the old Taylor favorites while brining in new elements to the area that were previously not available.”
Since the March opening, Tetreault said that they have received many positive remarks about the store, including the wide variety of apparel not limited to price. She said that customers will find an inviting space with warm walls, a pool table, animal skin rugs, huge dressing rooms of which people have asked to live in, a lounge area with a leather sofa for those shopping with the shoppers, a flat screen T.V. an antler chandelier, amongst other things.
“Come and see for yourself, the difference is extremely apparent!” said Tetreault.
Jackson & Connor is located at 150 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Thornes Marketplace, Northampton, Mass. For more information about Jackson & Connor, call Tara or Candice at (413) 586-4MEN.
