DRESSING THE PART
Clothier Patrick James embodies the quintessential American men’s wardrobe. The story of Patrick James, Purveyor to Gentlemen, began in Fresno in 1962, when Patrick James Mon Pere embarked on a journey that would span a lifetime. His passion for the men’s clothing industry quickly garnered a loyal clientele. What started out as a local private label store has since blossomed into an encompassing national brand, while remaining true to its original mission: providing quality merchandise with an exceptional customer experience.
Since his youth, Patrick James Mon Pere was “always dressed to the nines,” his son, Patrick, Jr., recalls. “He always was kind of interested in clothes growing up, and then he started working for some of the other retailers here at the time, and then started a young family and needed to make more money, so he went into the insurance business.” Yet his coworkers would often consult him about fashion, prompting his boss at the time to encourage him to return to the clothing business, saying, “everyone’s coming up to you and you just light up when you’re talking about clothes.”
And so, Mon Pere took a chance. He returned to work for another retailer, started buying for them, and eventually ventured out on his own. “He had a conviction that he wanted to bring Ivy League dress to the West Coast,” shares Patrick, Jr. “So he was kind of the first Ivy League store out here on the West Coast, which was natural shoulder clothing, sack coats, and stuff like that. And he just kind of grew it from there.” Mon Pere was a charismatic gentleman. He mentored many and brought in salespeople who helped Patrick James branch out by establishing new stores.
Patrick James does more than simply dress its patrons. “We are a family business establishing friendships in our community by providing our customers outstanding professional service and quality merchandise in a comfortable shopping environment or in the comfort of your own home,” their mission statement asserts. The business was built upon the heartfelt service and friendship bestowed on every customer who walked through its doors. The secret of Patrick James’ success lies in its commitment to providing customers with quality clothing and guiding them to build a wardrobe uncompromised in both fabric and design.
Patrick James has come a long way since its establishment six decades ago. Founder Patrick James Mon Pere’s fashion savvy and meticulous attention to quality and detail rapidly garnered a reputation and established Patrick James as a “West Coast Classic” style icon. This legacy is upheld to this day, carried on by Mon Pere’s sons: Patrick, Jr., Mike, and Clay. Although Mon Pere passed away in 2019, his family continues to expand the Patrick James brand, which now has a national catalog, an e-commerce website, and nine upscale men’s clothing and lifestyle stores across California and Nevada.
The family feels fortunate to be working together so cohesively. “I think it started just with how dad brought us in,” Patrick, Jr. imparts. “We were large enough that we weren’t tripping over each other, so that helped. And it’s just a lot of communication, good communication. As long as everyone’s on the same page, it all seems to work out okay.” Patrick, Jr. runs the company, doing the buying and merchandising. Mike handles operations, such as contracts and daily operations of the stores. Clay manages the warehouse and other fulfillment aspects of the business.
Being a lifestyle brand, Patrick James can function and adapt uniquely. “Our role is to edit: go out there into the marketplace and edit things and bring them back for our customers,” says Patrick, Jr. “We’re a lifestyle store. We ebb and flow a little bit with the times of what’s going on around us and what our customers’ needs are,” such as bringing in more athleisure lines during COVID. Presently, about 70% of Patrick James’ business is sportswear, including sneakers, denim, and suits. However, the brand’s background is in tailored clothing, and custom-made still makes up a big portion of the business. “We try to be your eyes and ears out there,” shares Patrick, Jr. of the search for only the best at the best possible value for their customers. “We do use our size for buying power and sourcing and a lot of different things like that, too, that can help customers.”
To this day, Patrick James retains its share of private label clothing and opulent merchandise. However, the retailer has expanded its offerings to include lifestyle brands and luxurious men’s sportswear collections. Presently, approximately 50 labels, including their own, are available at Patrick James. Their buyers and merchandisers are constantly on a mission to obtain unique and exquisite pieces from around the world, without ever compromising on quality or workmanship. Items from England, Scotland, Ireland, and the USA keep the traditional look alive. Products from Italy, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan introduce a contemporary flair. This blending of aesthetics cultivates an exclusive upscale men’s store with an international sense without sacrificing any of Patrick James’ old-world roots.
The Patrick James family has grown to over 100 employees, many of whom have been with the company for over half its lifetime. Their unique, collective knowledge and passion for the business are shared with customers and friends. The Patrick James staff is very active in the community and local charities, all of which are reflected in the company’s mission statement. “We have our nine stores and our employees in those stores really are our family in that community. And so we’ve always stressed community involvement with our managers and our salespeople,” Patrick, Jr. explains. “Without them, there isn’t a Patrick James. They are Patrick James out there for us and all of our communities.”
While Patrick James’ merchandise has changed in part over the years, its hallmarks of quality and exemplary service remain as they were on the store’s opening day in 1962. The only thing better than receiving their catalogs in the mail is the opportunity to visit a Patrick James store, where you can meet their great staff and shop exquisite merchandise in person. The company is working towards an enhanced shopping experience by integrating new technologies in the stores. “We want to do a new POS system, get more digital, and be able to use iPads in the stores, a lot of things to just make things easier for our customers.”
Patrick James is a hidden treasure in the Central Valley. “It’s funny, we’re better known in other places,” admits Patrick, Jr. “We’re kind of a good secret here.” Patrick James is one of the few local stores that caters exclusively to men in Fresno. However, “We’re not just trying to sell. We’re really trying to make relationships with our customers,” he professes. “We have multiple generations shopping now—that’s just very rewarding. That was always one of the most rewarding things for our dad, for us, too.” Patrick, Jr., Mike, and Clay are undoubtedly carrying on a legacy of “West Coast Style” in a modern fashion while honoring a tradition of exceptional taste. With a wardrobe from Patrick James, you’re sure to dress the part for all of life’s occasions.
www.patrickjames.com | Facebook: @shoppatrickjames | Instagram: @shoppatrickjames
Locations
Aptos
7538 Soquel Drive
Aptos, CA 95003
831.688.2105
Carmel
3744 The Barnyard
Carmel, CA 93923
831.620.0167
Danville
200 Railroad Avenue, Suite E
Danville, CA 94526
925.736.0787
Del Mar
2650 Via De La Valle, Suite C240
Del Mar, CA 92014
858.794.0806
Folsom
350 Palladio Parkway, Suite 1909
Folsom, CA 95630
916.646.4806
Fresno
780 West Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93704
559.224.5500
San Luis Obispo
641 Higuera Street, Suite 100
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.549.9593
Santa Rosa
2340 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
707.523.2346
Reno
13935 South Virginia Street, Suite 300
Reno, NV 89511
775.852.1948
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographers Don Dizon & RPM PR
Don Dizon
Photographer
Don is a portrait and still-life photographer based on Fresno, California. He was a nursing major from Fresno City College, and while waiting to get in the nursing program, he continued to take photography classes. There he fell completely in love with photography. Capturing the right moment only takes one shot. But it is much more than that! You need to have the right lighting, angle, and expression to get the perfect photograph. Over the years, Don has mastered the art of capturing the moment.
