For years Miller’s Clothing Store on Main Street was just one of many retailers operating in downtown Johnstown.
There were men’s stores such as Miller’s and ones that sold women’s fashions as well as two major department stores – Penn Traffic and Glosser Bros.
Today Miller’s is the only men’s store downtown. Its dedication to the downtown by H. Jay Clark remains while other stores have moved to the suburbs or closed.
“Our commitment to Johnstown – we had plenty of opportunity to go to Richland,” said Rick Clark who took over ownership of the store after his father, H. Jay Clark, died in 2003. “We passed them all up.”
Rick’s brother, Randy, operates Miller’s Tuxedo Rentals & Sales just down Main Street from Miller’s Clothing. That business was purchased from American Tailoring & Tuxedo 11 years ago. Another brother, Ron, operates a tuxedo rental business in Hollidaysburg.
Miller’s Clothing goes back to 1890 when it was started at the exact same location. H. Jay Clark purchased the business in the late 1960s.
Rick started working in the store as a stock boy at the age of 12.
“We still offer quality USA suitings and tailorings,” he said while waiting on a customer.
The store is stocked with quality men’s suits, shirts, ties, trousers and accessories. He said the store is the oldest Pennsylvania account of Hart, Schaffner Marx. In addition to quality merchandise, Miller’s prides itself on providing quality service – service such as may not be found at other retailers.
“It all comes down to customer service,” Rick said. You treat your people right.”
Rick is positive about the downtown area with the development of the tech park not far away in Kernville.
“An influx of people into that area only can mean good,” he said.
Rick said retail is a funny business. Some days, he said, you will do little business while on others days that you think will be slow you are very busy.
“With retail you just never know,” he said. “We must be doing something right. We’ve been here for 117 years.”
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