Hansens Mens Wear Owner Barry Hansen has been selling mens wear for 34 years.

Barry Hansen has maintained a routine for the past 34 years that is largely responsible for his small business’ success. He has made it a habit, at Hansen’s Mens Wear, of paying close attention to customers, carrying quality merchandise, staying on top of trends yet true to classic style, and providing outstanding and consistent customer service.

“As with any small business, customer service – knowing your customers – is really important,” said Hansen. “Availability and speed of service are things that customers have come to expect.” Hansen satisfies those needs by off ering an expansive selection of Mens Wear and accessories in a range of sizes. His store also provides onsite alterations.

“I’ve become the ‘tailor’,” Hansen said. He clarified that “tailor” should be used loosely and teased that he doesn’t mind being called a seamstress. In addition to being the owner and manager of Hansen’s Mens Wear, Hansen performs alterations, a task that he assumed after his life-long seamstress, Aggie Holzer, passed away two years ago.

“I really miss Aggie and learned a lot from her as we worked together over the years,” Hansen said.

Hansen’s commitment to customer service has helped the store maintain a foundation of regular customers and often inspires referrals.

Hansen shared a story that illustrates the importance of customer service. He said that they had a gentleman come in looking for a suit for a funeral. His build made shopping difficult but Hansen’s was prepared to accommodate him. “This customer was surprised that we had his size and that we could get him fitted in a short time,” Hansen said. After the funeral the man came back to share his gratitude and continues to shop the store.

In addition to providing a robust inventory of style and sizes, Hansen’s creates opportunities for customers to come back and shop. One unique program allows young customers to exchange tuxes for new sizes as they grow. For instance, Hansen will sell a tux to young man for prom and then allow that man to return the tux down the road for a new one. A win-win for the customer and Hansen’s, Barry then puts the second-hand tux into his rental inventory.

Hansen’s Mens Wear was a fixture at Gateway Mall for 30 years. Older readers may remember a time when the store operated out of Northbrook Shopping Center, where the store made its debut in 1977. The store is now located on Interstate Avenue across from the Comfort Inn and next to A&B Pizza and Bob’s Photo.

The move was motivated by Hansen’s desire to “downsize a little.” The new site allows Barry to deviate from mall hours, which means the store is now closed on Sundays. He has discovered that the new location has been a convenient change for customers old and new. “It’s easy to park and come right in,” he said. “We also see shoppers walk over from the hotel.”

The Mens Wear industry has experienced a few changes over the years. At one time, there were eight or more places to pick up a suit, Hansen said. The loss of other local retailers has lead Hansen’s Mens Wear to maintain strong sales.

Hansen said that there are trends in Mens Wear, but he chooses to stick with classic attire that won’t fall out of fashion before the fabric begins to fray. “I haven’t concentrated on young men, but they do find their way here because I have their size,” he said.

Right now there is a real push for “Made in the USA”, which Hansen’s carries plenty of. However, Hansen shared that the United States isn’t set up for major manufacturing so the prices tend to be 10-15 percent more. He did say that his customers are willing to pay that premium though.

A Chamber member since 1978, Hansen said they continue to support the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber as a way to support the community and other businesses. “We want to send a message that buying locally is important. If consumers concentrated on shopping locally, it would have an impact that we couldn’t measure. It would be significant,” he added.

Asked what his company does well that other businesses could mimic, Hansen said networking. He said he has benefited especially from networking with his competitors. “I can take better care of customers when I have good rapport with competitors,” he said. Hansen always has the customer’s best interest in mind and isn’t afraid to send them to another retailer if he knows the other store has what the customer needs.

By Dot Frank