Best place to buy clothes: Larson's
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY Shoppers look forward to Larson’s sidewalk bargains.
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY Brightly colored float toys entice visitors to come inside, where work clothes, shoes, hats, sportswear, toys and more await. Staff members specialize in friendly smiles and finding the right products for each customer.
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY Clerk Connie Qualls, center behind counter, helps customers check out at Larson’s.
-- Photo by LYNNE HALEY Larson’s carries hats for ranchers, hikers, cowboys and gardeners.
By LYNNE HALEY
Staff writer
BONNERS FERRY — The best place to buy clothing has to have a good selection, reasonable prices and something for everyone in the family. Larson’s Good Clothes, voted best place to buy clothes in Boundary County, offers all those things as well as a welcoming staff that works one-on-one with customers to find the right fit.
Dick and Sandy Larson own three stores: Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Grangeville. While the original store in Sandpoint has been in business for approximately 70 years, the Bonners Ferry location, 6426 Bonner St., opened its doors in 2000, according to Jenny Erickson, store manager. The Grangeville store is Larson’s newest, having been opened in 2010.
“We have tailored out stock to this town (Bonners Ferry),” said Erickson. “We focus on the locals rather than the tourists.”
A combination of outdoors gear, active sportswear, shoes and accessories for tots through adults, Larson’s can outfit vacationing hikers, children going back to school and parents heading to work. Cattle ranchers will find the rugged jeans and cowboy hats they like while visiting families can purchase float toys, board games and aqua sox.
“We have a little bit of everything,” said Erickson, who has managed the local store since 2001. “Levi’s, Wranglers, Carhartt, and basics not available anywhere else (in town).”
Clerks Connie Qualls, Karrie Shutes and Misty Taylor provide excellent customer service from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Work wear is probably their best-selling line, said Erickson.
When she first arrived in Bonners Ferry from Wisconsin, she found a welcoming community. She said her favorite part of the job has always been the people.
“The customers are fantastic,” Erickson said.