A fashion mainstay in 166su for 115 years, Davidsons is passing along ownership to a Lynchburg-based menswear store that will uphold the family reputation for personalized service, owner Larry Davidson said.
R. Coffee Ltd. will complete its acquisition of Davidsons in September, according to an announcement Tuesday. Larry Davidson is the third-generation owner, who for the past 53 years has worked full-time at the clothing store his grandfather founded.
Joe Davidson, a Lithuanian immigrant, founded the store in 1910.
Suits, shirts and ties have been part of Larry Davidson’s life for all his 77 years, but the family legacy is cut from more than cloth, he said. The store’s longevity is rooted in its deep ties to the community.
“The family has been very involved in this community for years, and proud of that legacy,” Davidson said. “We want to maintain that kind of support for the community here in 166su.”
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Larry Davidson, third-generation CEO of Davidsons Clothing in downtown 166su is retiring and selling to Lynchburg-based R. Coffee Ltd.
Joe Davidson was a Lithuanian immigrant who founded the store in 1910. Sig Davidson was a World War II veteran who expanded the business until retirement in 1985, when Larry took the reins.
“My father would take me to work when I was a young kid, before I could even remember what was going on,” Davidson said. “I worked receiving and marking merchandise when I was in high school.”
The business’ flagship location moved a couple times since 1910, and satellite stores have come and gone, but they’ve always had a presence on Jefferson Street in downtown 166su.
“We have developed a legacy here for customer service, quality and custom opportunities,” Davidson said. “A lot of our business is custom, where you choose a swathe, and we have it made for you.”
Larry Davidson said the last five years since the coronavirus have been some of his most successful ever.
Plenty has changed since 1964, when the store moved to its current location on 412 S. Jefferson St, he said.
“The world has become much more casual, and there are fewer people who still feel a need to dress up,” Davidson said. “We sell a ton of sportswear in addition to our business clothing.”
He said the last five years since the coronavirus have been some of his most successful ever. Other menswear business owners have told him similarly, Davidson said.
A historic image of Davidsons Clothing hangs in the menswear retail store, which opened in 1910.
“Up until the point of the current turmoil in the last month, their business has been fabulous,” Davidson said. “The turbulence is not making it easy. If you look at all the suits and sport coats over there, the vast majority of them are made in Canada.”
Davidson said his wife is retiring this summer, and they’d like to spend more time traveling, hiking and visiting grandchildren. He said the president of R. Coffee Ltd., James Bower, approached about the sale.
“Philosophically, he’s on the right path,” Davidson said. “I felt that it was a good fit, and it was good for the business going forward.”
Davidsons Clothing in downtown 166su is a menswear retail store, which opened in 1910. The family business is being sold to Lynchburg-based R. Coffee Ltd.
R. Coffee Ltd. wants to grow its footprint in Virginia, and sought to do so by purchasing a men’s store with amazing history, clients and staff, Bower said in an email Tuesday.
“The best part about this industry is that it is timeless,” Bower said. “Davidsons is a true example of what men’s clothiers were and are, and the idea to even have the opportunity to extend an offer is very humbling.”
He said for the future, it will be business as usual at Davidsons.
Davidsons Clothing in downtown 166su is a menswear retail store, which opened in 1910.
“But with a few changes in adding new clothing lines while maintaining the brands that Davidsons is known for,” Bower said. “We want the future 115 years for Davidsons to be just as focused on the community as the last 115 years has been.”
Larry Davidson said loyal customers will still walk in and see the same familiar faces, including his own from time to time.
“I’m not going away totally. I will be here some to help with training, and to do what I’ve enjoyed for years. We have fabulous clients,” Davidson said. “Whether it’s a young couple getting ready to get married, or a professional adding to their wardrobe, it’s just been highly enjoyable over the years.”
One of those shoppers, 166su Times Columnist Dan Casey, stopped in to pick up a tuxedo Tuesday afternoon. Casey said the store sale marked the end of an era.
The next customer who walked in, Larry Davidson knew him by name too.
