FAMILY LEGACY

Q: Can you share a bit about your father, Abe, and how his vision shaped Blum's into the thriving business it is today?

 

Marc: When my father was 22 years old he was going to college in the city and taking the train every day but he got sick, so he had to take a year off to get better. By this time he was married to my mother (Mrs. Bernice Siegel)  by then. My grandfather asked him, since you're not going to college right now “Maybe you could help us with Christmas wrapping?” So he started helping them, and he never left. He stayed with them, learned the business, and helped them run the store.

 

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Q: How has Blum's evolved over the 97 years in Patchogue Village, and what role do you believe the store plays in the local community?

 

Marc: Years ago Patchogue was mostly retailers. In the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s more malls started opening up. Things got tough and most retailers closed and Patchogue became like ghost town but we stuck it through. We felt it was important to push through the tough times because we had such a loyal following and wanted to provide our customers with products and services you can’t find anywhere else. 

 

RETAIL JOURNEY

Q: What inspired you to take over the family business, and what has that journey been like for you?

 

Marc: Okay, well, I started in 1976 and I worked my way up, you know, I cleaned bathrooms, did ticketing, I cashiered, I did everything. My father and I eventually bought out my uncle and our accountant said to my father “You might as well give him the business because he's going to take it over one day.” So he gave me the business, but he was still a huge part of it up until he passed. One day, things got tough and my father asked me “What do you want to do? You want to stay in the business, or you want to, you know, close it up?” So I said,  “What am I going to do?  I want to stay in the business.” We had a family member who was also working in retail and we went to him for advice and a loan to help keep us afloat. Once we got back on our feet and things started going really well, we paid back our loan and kept pushing forward. 

 

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PRODUCT SELECTION

Q: Blum's specializes in lingerie and swimwear. How do you decide which brands and styles to carry, and what trends are you seeing right now?

 

Marc: Thankfully we have Terri, our Lingerie Manager and Buyer, and Cherie, my business partner, Swimwear Manager, and Buyer. Both of them work directly with the customers and most importantly, listen to their needs. Over the years they have fine-tuned which sizes are hard to find, identified trends and brought in up-and-coming brands you can’t find anywhere else. We were one of the first stores to stock Wacoal which is now one of the most popular bra companies. We also brought in a lot of UK brands like Elomi, Goddess, and Freya way before the big box stores. Our Swim Department uses the same model and we stock cup-sized swimwear and a full range of sizes including extended sizes. 

 

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Q: What unique experiences do you offer your customers to make shopping at Blum's special?

 

Marc: Service, service, service. It’s all about taking care of the customer. Our fit specialists take their time with the customer and listen to their wants and needs. Our staff is trained to work with all ages, sizes, and abilities. Most boutiques will charge for a professional fitting or require a scheduled important but we’re fully staffed during all store hours and our services are always complimentary. Our team will never try to sell a customer something they don’t need or may not be exactly what they’re looking for. 

 

ADAPTING TO CHANGE

Q: What challenges have you faced in the retail industry over the years, especially with the rise of online shopping? 

 

Marc: A lot of the brands we brought in over the years have been strictly B2B but recently more of them have started selling directly to the consumer. Small businesses are all competing with big box online retailers and amazon but still our advantage is that customers can visit us and feel the product, try it on, receive a fitting, and get expert advice. 

 

INNOVATION

Q: How has Blum's adapted to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements in retail?

 

Marc: Since we’ve opened we continue to evolve with our customer's preferences. We saw the rise and fall of corsets, the evolution of shapewear, and the popularity of the bikini. Right now we’re seeing a huge shift in customers preferring wire-free bras over an underwire. As far as technological advancements we’ve continued to update our POS to offer our customers a loyalty program and keep a history of their purchases. We frequently receive calls from customers asking us what bra they last purchased or what size bathing suit they are. We have a huge and constantly changing inventory so it’s important to have a POS system that can keep up with our stock. 

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LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

Q: How do you collaborate with other local businesses in Patchogue Village to enhance the shopping experience?

 

Marc: We’re active members of the Chamber of Commerce, we advertise during our local events and parades to help fund these experiences for the community. When other stores or restaurants ask for donations for raffles or giveaways we’re always more than happy to participate. 

 

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EVENTS AND INITIATIVES

Q: Are there any upcoming events or initiatives that you’re particularly excited about that involve the community?  

 

Marc: We’re looking forward to It’s a Wonderful Life event, the Chamber has put in a lot of hard work to make this happen and we’re honored to be a sponsor. We always look forward to the parades down Main Street and stay open during them. 

 

LOOKING AHEAD

Q: What are your plans for Blum's in the coming years? How do you envision the store evolving?

 

Marc: We try to stay focused on today but we’re looking forward to celebrating our 100th anniversary. We hope that Blum’s will always be a staple of Patchogue and continue to provide excellent service and quality products. 

 

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LESSONS LEARNED

Q: What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned from running a family business?

 

Marc: Pay your bills on time, have a reliable partner, and have good connections with vendors. My business partner Cherie really transformed Blum’s into the store it is today. Before Cherie started we mostly sold clothes and swimsuits in the summer but it was her idea to bring swimwear in year-round. Even today you can’t go to a big box retailer in the winter and have such a huge selection of swim and resortwear let alone the level of service we provide. 

 

PRIDE AND PASSION

Q: What do you love most about your work at Blum's, and what makes you proud to be part of this legacy?

 

Marc: I'm just proud that we've been here forever, and part of the Patchogue Community. To still be standing after 97 years is a testament to our passion for the products, services, and our customers. It’s a wonderful feeling when you see generations of women pass through our doors and tell us how their mother brought them here and their grandmother brought their mother. To be a small part of our customer’s lives is the most rewarding. 

 

ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own retail business?

 

Marc: Well, I would say, it's tough, but it’s possible. People are doing it. We have seen a return to brick and mortar retail stores after the popularization of online shopping. Customer’s are spending their hard-earned money and want to see and feel the products while avoiding the hassle of returning their items through the mail. You need to have a reliable business partner and be present in the store. I’d recommend having a trustworthy lawyer and accountant to make sure all your finances are in order which will allow you to focus on your store operations. Take care of your employees and treat everyone with respect. Your employees can make or break a business and we’ve been lucky to have many long-term reliable employees.

 

COMMUNITY MESSAGE

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with the Patchogue community or your loyal customers?

 

Marc: We just hope they keep coming to us. We do our best and we want to make them happy because that makes us happy. We're always accommodating no matter your age, size, or gender. Our fit specialists are always here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We care about our customers and we strive to provide excellent service and a personalized shopping experience.

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