The Shopper's Shop
Town & County has combined upscale clothing with top-notch customer service for years, making it a staple in the Springfield clothing industry.
5 Things We Love (clockwise from top) from Town and County
Most For Your Money: Alex Cannon sweater with suede trim around zipper and on elbow, $98
Our Favorite Find: Jeweled bib necklace, $48
Hottest New Item: Pocket detailed scarf, $48
Coveted by the Owner: Zelli lizard brown slip-ons, $375
Worth the Splurge: Bellissimo lambskin coat with mink collar and cuffs; $2,400
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KEY PEOPLE: The main man at Town & County is owner Bob Lowe (left), who bought into the store in 1969. But he certainly doesn’t take all of the credit. To learn a little more about the store, I spoke with a few staff members. “We have a lot of high school shoppers, and we have a lot of women that are 80,” says Barb Collins, who has worked in the store’s women’s department for nearly 15 years. “We also have a lot of mother/daughter shoppers,” says Pam Stahle. Both women agree, as well as many customers, that perhaps the most charming thing about Town & County is the personalized shopping experience. “We all have personal customers, and we know their likes and dislikes,” Stahle says. Ben Killingsworth works in the men’s department, and he’s been at the store for 12 years. “We’re not just here to ring things up,” Killingsworth says. “We try to excel on service, selection, product knowledge–all the things that make a specialty store special.”
THE SHOPTown & County, 2660 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-883-6131 (10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Saturday) |
ATMOSPHERE: You will be welcomed by smiling staff members and offered a bottled water or a diet Coke after you step into Town & County. The employees always strike up conversation, and after spending a few minutes chatting with them, I felt like I was hanging out with old friends. The spot is filled with both the latest pieces in men’s and women’s upscale clothing, making any high-end fashion fan feel like a kid in a candy store.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND: The store is divided into two equal portions, one for gals and one for guys. The woman’s side features the latest high-end clothing, jewelry, handbags, scarves and accessories, and the men’s side has fine lines of shoes and clothing on display, including snazzy shirts and pants, ties, belts, socks, sports coats and shoes.
417 VERDICT: Despite offering the latest in fine fashion, everything else at Town & County is the same as it been for years. And that’s the beautiful thing. Shoppers have a chance to buy quality pieces without dealing with crowds and unpleasant associates, and it’s great to have a personal shopper by your side.
