Marceaux’s Clothing Company

By Chaney Ferguson
The Times of SWLA


Marceaux’s Clothing Company provides a warm atmosphere,
friendly service, and affordable clothing. The comfortable
layout of the store invites customers to browse through all
the unique and stylish clothes and accessories. A box of toys
in the shoe corner offers children a chance to play while
their parents shop.

The Beginning

The clothing business has always been a part of John
Marceaux’s life. He worked for his father for two years before
going into business for himself.

“My father was in the clothing business his whole life,” said
Marceaux. “I think it was a natural step following in his
footsteps.”

In the late seventies Marceaux opened a children’s clothing
store called Briar Patch. Later he, his father, and his
brother started Marceaux Clothing.

“When they decided to get out my wife, Janet, and I bought
it,” said Marceaux. “Shortly after that I sold Briar Patch and
concentrated on the Marceaux clothing store.”

Marceaux also owns Uniform Outfitters in Crowley where they
sell school uniforms to Acadia Parish. Marceaux’s also sells
uniforms along with women’s clothing, men’s suits, jewelry,
purses, and shoes.

Over the past twenty or so years Marceaux has added many
different lines to the store. Most recently, the store has
taken on more shoe lines such as Volatile and YellowBox.
“During the last two years Crocs have been popular. We sold a
ton of Crocs,” Marceaux said, laughing at the memory.
A Change in Retail

When you drive through small towns now there are barely any
clothing stores left. Everything has changed in the past ten
to fifteen years due to vertical retail. Vertical retail
stores are those that design, produce, and sell their own
product.

“When you used to drive through Jennings you could probably
find ten clothing stores. Now you’re down to about four,” said
Marceaux. “It’s changed tremendously.”

With vertical retail popping up Marceaux’s had to take a
different tact. They moved their customer age base up,
shifting their primary customers from young high school
females to missy customers.

“Women still care about fashion,” said Marceaux, “Women from
thirty and older are a greatly underserved market in small
towns. They get overlooked. So that’s the market we are trying
to set-up.”

Choosing the Right Styles

Marceaux’s carries a variety of men and women’s clothing,
accessories, shoes, and LSU products. John and Janet Marceaux
are always paying attention to changes in fashion so they know
what to look for when they go four times a year to market in
Dallas.

“My wife does a lot of catalogue browsing to see what everyone
is wearing and see what is new,” Marceaux said. “We always
notice what people are wearing. There have been times when my
wife and I have asked someone who made what they are wearing.
We can see if that’s something that would work for us.”

According to Marceaux, the market is like a mall with a lot of
mini-stores. There are certain lines they visit consistently
because they have done well for them in the past. A Canadian
line called Tribal is one they always go back to. Marceaux
describes the line as good quality, consistent fit, and
attractively priced.

“You walk the market and see what everyone is offering and
make plans for where you want to go,” Marceaux said.

Face to the Community

Marceaux’s windows face the busy North Lake Arthur Avenue.
Window displays are a major way to invite customers to come in
and browse. The displays are changed about every other week.
“I think it is very important. It’s your face to your
customers driving by,” Marceaux said.

According to Marceaux, once they displayed a dress with a wide
belt in their window. A lady walked in to the store and said
she wanted the dress and the belt.

“So, yeah, it sells merchandise,” he said.

The windows are not the only thing John Marceaux freshens up
and rearranges. Occasionally he and his wife will shift things
around in the store to change the layout.
“Janet came in two weeks ago and reconfigured the layout of
the floor. She’ll do that on occasion so everything doesn’t
get too stale,” Marceaux said.

Customer Service

“There was a lady in here who needed some pants for her son,”
said Marceaux, “The pants have a difficult inseam and we’re
going to see if we can get them for her.”
Marceaux’s business philosophy is all about the customers. He
and his staff have good people skills and always attend to the
customer’s needs above anything else. He is not the type of
owner who stays at home; he’s not one who remains in the back
office working at a desk. John Marceaux is out on the floor,
working the register, and even replacing light bulbs, while he
visits with the browsers. If a customer has a need Marceaux
and the staff will do their best to meet that need.

“I think if you listen and treat your customers as best you
can, you are going to be successful,” Marceaux said.

For more information call 337-824-7579, or visit
Marceaux’s Clothing Company, at 918 North Lake Arthur Avenue
in Jennings. The store hours are Mon.-Fri. from 9-5 and Sat.
9-4:45.