FORT WAYNE, IND—A new off-campus shop is getting the attention of thrifters in the Fort Wayne area and the items have never been worn! Style for Less, one of many small businesses in Fort Wayne, is owned by Elizabeth Haynie Simerman and located at 3319 N. Anthony Blvd.
“We started getting things going October 2019. As we all know, I really like clothes and styling people so that they feel their very best.”
Liz Simerman
Thrifters enjoy Style 4 Less because the prices are cheap, and the clothing is not pre-worn. The prices range from $1-$30 depending on the brand of clothing and what all is in-stock. Style for Less includes all ranges of fashion as well, but targets every age group looking for clothing or accessories. All of the merchandise is Target brand material and is not pre-worn.
“I really appreciate that Style 4 Less is super affordable because being a student-athlete I don’t have a ton of time to work to be able to afford overpriced clothing,” said Paxton Simerman. “Style 4 Less works for me in the financial standpoint and others as well.”
Paxton Simerman, shopper
Although thrifting can be hit or miss, Style 4 Less has plenty of stock when it comes to style and their quality of clothing is not hit or miss.
“I think that I enjoy the excitement factor behind thrifting and not knowing what exactly I’ll find, or what condition the clothing will be in. With Style 4 Less, the quality of the clothing is super admirable because it isn’t pre-owned, but has that sort of “worn” quality to it,” said Lydia Miller.
Lydia Miller, shopper
Liz, the store owner, has plenty of background knowledge when it comes to fashion, entrepreneurship, and small businesses. She as inspired to open the store by her stepfather, she said.
“One day Bob [Stepdad] and I were talking and he kind of planted the idea and I ran with it and figured we could start selling wholesale branded apparel here in Fort Wayne.”
Liz Simerman
With the market in Fort Wayne, wholesale branded apparel is common and also has a huge marketing bias towards it. A lot of pop-up shops, like “Halloween” come around seasonally, but Style 4 Less is clearly here to stay due to the entrepreneurship knowledge Liz and her employers have.
“Also, since I studied entrepreneurship in college this made it that much more exciting for me to start a startup.”
Liz Simerman
Liz graduated from Lake Forest College in Chicago with a degree in business and amrketing. This knowledge has helped propel the success of her company. A start-up in this town is exactly what we needed when it came to the clothing industry. With Glenbrook mall and the several thrift stores in the area, Style 4 Less is a competitive store front.
Shopper, Lydia Miller, is impressed by the pricing, quality, overall, experience, and much more.
“Yes I mean I was not originally knowledgeable of the shop,” she said. “I was informed of how the clothing was cheap and also how they had not only a thrifting vibe, but a professional vibe,” she said. “I’m studying to be a mechanical engineer and this is my go to when looking for professional attire for interviews and internships that are affordable to my budget.”
Lydia Miller, shopper
Being connected to the community is key to running a successful business. It helps get the word out to potential customers.
“I really try to sell the store in a sense, but after some of my friends and friends of my friends have shopped at Style 4 Less, it’s not just my word that keeps them coming back, but the merchandise and what is offered in the store,” said Paxton Simerman. “It’s special because it’s something that my family has supported from the beginning, and now that Liz is starting her own family I can only imagine the support of the store and business will grow.”
Paxton Simerman, shopper
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