Geiger's

Photo of the first Geiger's at W. 75 and Lorain Cleveland

Geiger's history began nearly a century ago. W. Charles "Charley" Geiger Sr.'s brother Howard Geiger founded a men's clothing business in Cleveland in 1918 with a store near West 75th and Detroit Avenue in what is now the city's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. Charley joined brother Howard in 1919. Howard expanded his business, first to eight stores then, in 1928, to a total of 13 stores, most of which were closed during the Great Depression in 1929–1930.[1]

Geiger's staff in 1933

In 1932 Charley Geiger Sr., in the midst of the Great Depression, started his own men's clothing establishment, which he named "Charley Geiger's Haberdashery" in a storefront at the corner of Warren Rd. and Detroit Avenue in downtown Lakewood, OH. In 1936, he moved three storefronts east to 14710 Detroit Avenue where Geiger's main store and headquarters stand today. Geiger's, according to the Lakewood Post, was "…a new store, new fixtures, complete stocks of nationally advertised merchandise, and a continuation of the policies that have drastically increased his (Geiger's) business."[2]

Charley Geiger Sr. founded the company in 1932 about three storefronts west of the site of the current Lakewood store and corporate headquarters. In 1936, he leased the present store at 14710 Detroit Ave. (which he ultimately purchased) and moved all his goods and store fixtures east. Subsequently, in 1962 the company expanded and purchased an adjacent building to its west. By 1973, Geiger's had knocked down the interior walls and presented the store as one unconnected building – on the inside.

The exterior was another matter. In 1975, the company erected a 100 ft. white aluminum façade to make it appear that the two buildings were actually one. The aluminum wall lasted over 25 years, until, early in the 21st century, Geiger's decided to go back to the early 1900s core of the buildings. As they dismantled the old sheet wall, architectural details nearly 100 years old were revealed and emphasized. Architect Rex Gilliland commented that he had simply "…put it back to what it was. It looks great."

Geiger's headquarters and principal store

Geiger's was lauded for its renovation; the city of Lakewood's Jeff Rink stated, we "…are excited to have such a fantastic corporate citizen…what they've done is a model for Lakewood to preserve the heritage of historic buildings…."[12] In 2002, Geiger's received an Award from the Cleveland Restoration Society and AIA Cleveland for its Lakewood location historic storefront preservation.[13]

In 1961, Geiger's purchased Jack 'n Jill, described as "Ohio's largest exclusive children's shop," from its founder, Theodore F. Brooks. The Lakewood unit was the only surviving store of a chain of five that Brooks had developed over 25 years. Jack 'n Jill offered a complete line of infants' and children's wear, toys and gifts and a layette department for newborns, managed by a registered nurse. The store, at 15015 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, featured sleek laminate counters and "modernistic" fixtures. The Jack and Jill location later closed and a children's department was established in the 14710 Detroit store.[14]

Geiger's has been in the business of fashion for over 80 years, but "fashion" was not a word used in men's clothing in the 1930s. When Charley Geiger Sr. moved to the store's current location in 1936, it was reported that he had "…a knowledge of what interests Lakewood men and boys – and their wives and girlfriends – in the way of haberdashery."[15]

In 1980, Geiger's expanded again, this time adding a women's department. Featuring skirts, slacks, blazers, blouses and accessories, the department, "Ladies, Ltd.," focused on classic tailoring and clothes.[16]

Geiger's has been providing traditional clothing to its customers, offered with its version of customer service for most of its history. Over the years, as the women's department grew, the company moved more and more into more upscale fashion. Geiger's buyers often make purchases with a specific customer in mind.[17]

In the 1980s, Geiger's opened a Pendleton Shop in an old home in Rocky River, Ohio. As a part of their contract with Pendleton, Geiger's was required to stock 75% of the merchandise with Pendleton brand clothing and accessories. In 1996, the store moved to larger quarters in the Old River Shopping area, also in Rocky River. Demand grew at such a pace that a second Geiger's Pendleton Shopped was opened in Medina, Ohio on the historic Medina Town Square. In 2005 the Medina store closed and the Pendleton name and affiliation were dropped in Rocky River, although the store still carried some Pendleton brand items, particularly its iconic women's blazers. The store focused mostly on women's traditional clothing. The response was enthusiastic and the store expanded. A unique aspect of the store was its in-house skilled women's tailor, whose expertise in alterations made certain of exact fits. When the Rocky River location finally closed, fashion ladieswear again became a part of Geiger's Lakewood and Chagrin Falls locations.[18]

Geiger's Downtown Cleveland 2016

In May, 2015, Geiger's announced that it would return to its roots, and open a new store in downtown Cleveland, next to a recently opened Heinen's upscale supermarket. Geiger's return would be their first downtown unit since the original Geiger's chain closed in 1929. The store, which opened in November 2015, is in a renovated commercial/residential building at 1020 Euclid Ave. near the corner of 9th and Euclid. Originally the Truman Building, it was renamed The Ivory by its current owners.

Constructed in 1911, the Truman Building was designed by renowned architect Willard Hirsch. It is one of eight Hirsch structures that still stand in Cleveland. At the time of construction, this building was built with the most concrete of any building in the country. The building once housed the Oppenheimer & Collins Co. women's clothing manufacturer.[19]

In May 2020, after a peaceful demonstration in response to the George Floyd killing, violent rioters vandalized Geiger's downtown story, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of outdoor gear, shoes and clothing. The store's windows were smashed and most of its contents, including décor, were taken. There was serious damage to many of the establishments on Euclid Avenue, although the PlayhouseSquare theaters were unharmed.[20]

Charley Geiger Jr. was named Lakewood's "Citizen of the Year" in 1972. Described as the "…most coveted of all awards bestowed on a Lakewood citizen for distinguished service…," the award is provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The description of the award, the 33rd given, mentioned Geiger's 16 years service on the Board of Education, his work with Kiwanis, service with the YMCA, the Downtown Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce. His efforts, said the award, would "…last for generations."[21]

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, on the occasion of its centennial in 2002, awarded its Frank L. Thurber Award (named after the chamber's first president in 1902) to the Geiger Family. Citing the family's business acumen for over 75 years, the award also lauded the family for its notable history of community dedication, serving on the Boards of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce, First Federal of Lakewood, Lakewood Board of Education, the Beck Center for the Arts, LakewoodAlive, Kiwanis, Rotary, the Lakewood Hospital Foundation and the Cleveland Yachting Club.[22]

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the social service agency that is most renowned for providing help to Cuyahoga County's homeless population partnered with Geiger's in a drive to provide the homeless with toys for the children and coats for both children and adults. FrontLine Service also enlisted the aid of nearly 20 companies to motivate their employees and other stakeholders to make the clothing and toy donations at all three Geiger's stores. Seventy families, including over 200 children who are supported by FrontLine's young adult, family and veterans programs attended the “Twinkle Shop” where the largess from Geiger's customers was distributed.[23]

Columbus, OH based Heritage Ohio, the state's official historic preservation organization, named Geiger's the 2009 Ohio Main Street Business of the Year for Geiger's involvement in their community, excellence of their physical plant, leading-edge online presence and customer service.[24]

Gordon Geiger was honored with the "Champion Award" of LakewoodAlive, Lakewood's non-profit economic development organization, for his service, particularly as Chairman of the group's Wine and Craft Beer Festival.[25]

The Lakewood Board of Education elected Chas Geiger President of the Board (for the fifth time) on 7 January 2008. Geiger served the Board for more than 20 years until his retirement.[26]

Chas Geiger was named Vice President of the Lakewood Hospital Foundation in 2011. The Hospital Foundation provides philanthropic assistance to Lakewood Hospital.[27]