In The News

Big Black for Red Barn

From Rochester Magazine
Fabruary, 2010
By Erich Van Dussen

Entering the venerable Red Barn apparel store in Pittsford Plaza, with its fine suits and accessories on display in warmly appointed surroundings, is a little like stepping into the pages of fashion conscious Esquire magazine. Which makes it only fitting that Esquire would return the favor—by putting the store in the pages of its semiannual style guide.

The latest release of Esquire’s Big Black Book, a magazine/guide described by editors as “a style manual for the successful modern man,” once again includes Red Barn in a prestigious list of the nation’s finest men’s specialty stores. The Pittsford institution has been mentioned in each annual Big Black Book since its inception in 2006—the only local store to be so recognized and one of only 50 included.

But it’s news to the owner each time it happens. “Somebody came in recently and said, ‘You’re in thereagain,’ ” says Don Rhoda, who opened The Red Barn 45 years ago. “Itmakes me proud to think that we’ve accomplished that.” Rhoda believes a number of factors contribute to his store’s recurring selection. “Longevity probably has something to do with it, and the brands that you carry that areexclusive to you or to your area,” he says, citing such labels as Ravazzolo, Robert Talbott and Luciano Barbera. “But mostly I think it’s the personal attention that sets us apart.”

And the longstanding store hasn’t been afraid to change. It has a boys shop and, three years ago, added a women’s department. Rhoda’s wife, Pamela, is the buyer for the ladies collections.

“We’re a specialty store, so we try to be special,” Rhoda adds. “We preshop for you.”

Red Barn Honored by Magazine

From The Messenger Post (View original article here)
January 22, 2010
By Dan Goldman

Don Rhoda grew up in the men’s clothing business, as his father, Edward, owned Edward’s Men’s Shop in Jamestown. He remembers enjoying wearing nice clothes to school and working in his dad’s store on holidays and summer vacations.

Rhoda opened his own store, The Red Barn, in 1964 in Pittsford.

“I guess it was genetic,” said Rhoda, a Pittsford resident. “I don’t know if there is such a gene, but if there is, I inherited it.”

For the third straight year, the Red Barn was included in the Best of Class in Esquire magazine’s Big Black Book. The list is a collection of the best men’s specialty stores in the country. Retailers were chosen based on a combination of visits, research and thoughts from industry professionals, customers and readers. Customer service, breadth, the quality of brands carried by each store, the store’s level of visual merchandising, and the standing of a store in its respective community were all taken into consideration.

“The Red Barn is one of a select few that has stood the test of time and meets these criteria,” said Esquire spokesman Nathan Christopher.

Rhoda, who operates the store with his wife, Pamela, and son, Edward, was excited about the recognition.

“It’s been a wonderful honor to be in that group of other fine specialty stores in America,” Rhoda said. “The list is quite inclusive with some of the best stores in the world.”

The Red Barn first opened at a red barn building at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Clover Street; 20 years ago, it moved to Pittsford Plaza.

“We were thrilled to learn of the honor bestowed on the Rhoda family and are proud to have them as a tenant in the plaza,” said Dennis Wilmot, vice president of leasing and retail development for Wilmorite, the real estate development and management company that manages the plaza.

Don and Pamela, along with other retailers named in the book, were invited by Esquire and the Italian Trade Commission to Milan, Italy, Jan. 13-20 to attend fashion shows, look at vendors and visit factories.

Magazine recognizes Pittsford retailer Red Barn Gentlemen's Apparel

From The Democrat and Chronicle (View original article here)
January 13, 2010

Esquire magazine again has recognized a Pittsford store as one of the nation's top men's apparel retailers. Red Barn Gentlemen's Apparel, located in Pittsford Plaza, was one of about 70 such men's stores mentioned in Esquire's Big Black Book, which the magazine calls "a style manual for successful men."

This is the third year in a row Red Barn has been included on the Esquire list, which recognizes stores that sell quality products while emphasizing customer service.

"It's a nice recognition," said Ed Rhoda, son of the store's owner. "We didn't apply for it or anything, but it definitely has brought people in."

Red Barn makes 'Big Black Book,' again

From The Democrat and Chronicle (View original article here)
January 11, 2010

For the third straight year, Red Barn Gentlemen's Apparel, 3349 Monroe Ave., in Pittsford Plaza
has been selected for inclusion on the Best of Class A-List in Esquire magazine's Big Black Book,
The Style Manual for Successful Men. The list, which is Esquire's salute to the finest men's
specialty stores includes only 50 stores from around the country and is published annually.

The Red Barn has been included since its inception in 2006. Don Rhoda is the store's owner and
he and his son, Edward, run the business, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.

Since opening in 1964 , the Red Barn has provided gentlemen's clothing and apparel to the Rochester community. The original store was in the Red Barn building near the corner of Monroe Avenue and Clover Street; the current store is at 3349 Monroe Ave. in Pittsford Plaza.

Esquire magazine launched Big Black Book as a luxury coffee-table book/magazine hybrid that serves as a style manual for the successful modern man.

Esquire salutes Pittsford store

From The Rochester Business Journal (View original article here)
January 11, 2010
By Mary Stone

For the third straight year, the Red Barn Gentlemen's Apparel store in Pittsford was included in Esquire magazine’s “Big Black Book Spring 2009 Style Manual for Successful Men.”

The list includes 50 stores from around the country and serves as a separate annual publication.

It is compiled using a combination of national research Esquire conducted, long-time relationships Esquire has in the fashion and menswear categories, and feedback received from retailers.

Through the magazine and its publishers, the Red Barn’s owner was sent on an all-expensespaid trip to Italy. The weeklong stay is courtesy of the Italian Trade Commission and its efforts to promote the sale of luxury Italian goods to countries such as the United States.

Owner Don Rhoda and his wife, half of whose expenses were paid, made the trip.

At the store, his wife, Pamela, manages the women’s collection, which was added to the store three years ago.

Rhoda specializes in made-to-measure suits, shirts and ties, and runs the store with his son Edward. The Red Barn, located in Pittsford Plaza, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.

The Red Barn Gets Esquire's Nod as "Best in Class"

From YNN (View original article and video here)
January 10, 2010
By Wendy Mills

Fine tailoring and handmade suits from the finest fabrics in the world, including Italy, have put
apparel store The Red Barn at the top of its class and drawing more national attention.

As specialty stores go, Pittsford's The Red Barn knows how to dress men well.

The fine gentlemen's apparel shop is once again sharing its love of fashion with the world. For the
third time, The Red Barn will be featured in Esquire Magazine's Big Black Book as the "Best in
Class."

This is something owner Donald Rhoda is proud of for this family business.

"We've been in business for 45 years. We try to bring to the Rochester market the finest products that we can find in the market," Rhoda said.

That means the finest fabrics, from the thread, buttons and finishing touches, made-to-measure suits, shirts and ties, to shoes, a women's department and a boy's line.

"We carry very special lines that no one else carries, not only in town – sometimes as far away as Chicago or New York would be the next store that you could purchase these fine lines we do carry. We tend to weight ourselves into the Italian clothing lines since that's where most of the finer things are made today," Rhoda explained.

Esquire will salute The Red Barn's dedication to style and service that has Italy in mind.

"It's a wonderful honor. We had nothing to do with them choosing us specifically. It's done by our peers in the industry. People told us about it... We didn't even know it was going to be in there, so it was a wonderful honor," Rhoda said.

Peers that Rhoda said not only recognize The Red Barn's quality in products, but its service.

"So whenever we do something here, they leave with a thought that, 'My God, it's the best experience I've had in the clothing field that I've ever experienced.' So that's our goal: leave them coming back for more all the time," Rhoda added.

Four decades of dressing men for success, The Red Barn's clients know this is fine tailoring at its best.

"I recently had a one gentleman send me a nice little note saying, "I always knew you're the best of class," which was a nice thing to do."

Donald will travel to Milan this week to attend some fashion shows featuring products that he hopes to bring back to Rochester.