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Garrison’s: A Tradition of Customer Service

Jewell Garrison and son Walter at their first location on 109 Logan Street.

If you are in the ranks of the people who believe customer service is a thing of the past, you need to take a little trip to 100 South Main Street in Morgantown.  There you will find Garrison’s, a family clothing store that has been in business since 1957.  

Walter Garrison, son of Jewell and the late Murray Garrison, is the present owner-operator of the business.  Except for the holidays, when his three sisters (Malissa Jane, Derotha, and Rosemary) offer their assistance, Walter is a one-man operation.  He is one of those people who seems to be able to be in three places at once; greeting a customer by name, “Hi, Sue, how are you?”; locating a specialty item, “These are the Velcro shoes we carry.  They’re light as a feather and really flexible”; and going over a receipt item by item, “This is your pocket knife, this is your striped shirt, and this is your Levi shirt.”

Walter Garrison

Walter learned this efficiency and emphasis on customer service from his parents, who established the first Garrison’s at 109 Logan Street (currently G.L. Smith Street) in 1957.  “Dad was working in Louisville, and just coming home on week-ends, and they wanted something so Dad could be at home,” says sister, Malissa Jane.  Jewell’s father, Walter Forsythe, who owned a furniture store at the time, owned the building where Jewell and Murray set up shop, creating a business which Butler countians have depended on for years.  

The family moved the business from Logan Street to the present location at 100 South Main Street in July of 1997.  Sadly, Murray passed away the following September, leaving Jewell and Walter to continue together until Jewell retired.  She currently lives with her daughter, Rosemary, in Bowling Green.  

Although the customer service side of the business hasn’t changed, the way merchandise is bought and delivered has.  Murray and Jewell stocked their store by driving to Nashville to the wholesale businesses located there; filling their car with merchandise, and bringing it back to the store shelves on an as-needed basis.  Today, Walter orders from more than fifteen different companies.  Some of his brands include: Levi, Carhartt, Redwing, Wrangler, Lee, Justin, Eastland, Clark, Double H, Dockers, Nunn Bush, Liberty, Dickies, Van Heusen, and Arrow.  He also carries University of Kentucky and University of Louisville apparel, as well as several brands of pocket knives.  

Garrison's has a wide selection of shoes and boots.

It would be a mistake to assume that because Garrison’s is a small, local business, the merchandise would be more expensive than that at the larger retail chains.  Because Walter Garrison runs a tight ship, he is able to keep his overhead low, and offer his customers a good value.  “I can offer everyday prices that match or are below the other retailer’s sale prices,” he says.  

“He also does a lot of special ordering for people,” Malissa Jane adds.  “And I don’t know if he’s ever been able to get out of here by 2 pm on Saturday (referring to the hours of operation posted on the door).  I think that was just a dream,” she says, with obvious pride in her brother’s work ethic.

It is obvious that this extra mile attitude is what keeps people coming back through the doors.  Walter, however, gives all the credit to his customers.  “I couldn’t have done this if it weren’t for all of my loyal customers,” he says, “They’re the ones who have made it possible for Garrison’s to be part of the Butler County Community for all of these years.”

Store Information: Holiday hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 – 5  (closed Sundays)
                       Regular hours: Tues. – Fri. 10 – 5
                                              Sat. 10 – 2  (Closed Sunday and Monday)
                       Gift Certificates Available  

 

Story and photos by Cheryl Hughes, Beech Tree News

 

 

 

 

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Comments

It would be a mistake to assume that because Garrison’s is a small, local business, the merchandise would be more expensive than that at the larger retail chains. Because Walter Garrison runs a tight ship, he is able to keep his overhead low, and offer his customers a good value. “I can offer everyday prices that match or are below the other retailer’s sale prices,” he says The statement above is absolutely correct. I love going there to buy Clark's. He is much cheaper than anywhere in Bowling Green. Everytime I have been in his store Mr. Garrison shows me exactly what I am looking for and I get in and out in no time at all. Thanks for serving our community Garrison family. I hope you are serving our community for many more years.
We have a home in Butler County, we currently work and live overseas. But everytime we are in town, we always stop in to Garrison's and pick up what we need for clothing supplies. Whether it is jeans or a hat, he always has what we need and the conversation we have while in there is wonderful. I wouldn't think about shopping for something that he carries anywhere else. I really don't even look at the prices because the extra cost I would spend in gas going somewhere else and would rather he have our business. Wonderful man with a wonderful business. Thank you Mr. Garrison.
The Garrison's are so nice and friendly. I appreciate them and their business.
I must say I am very proud of my uncle Walter and the pride with which he runs his business following the fine example set by my grandparents!!
I love shopping at Garrisons. They have the best quality stuff at great prices. I have a haggar blazer I bought from Walter. I wear it a lot and I see several of my friends wear one just like it. I love this, it shows support for local business.
A very good store to find the right size.
My brother Larry Taylor sent me to Garrisons for new socks about 4 years ago. I asked Larry what kind he wears and he replied "Walter will know".


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