a couple years back we discussed this guy in the history section on getbig. he lives in my home state, i'm not sure but i think he might own a clothing store ?
Nesser's makes commitment to Scottdale
Bernadette MyersBERNADETTE MYERS | Friday, Jan. 18, 2002 12:00 a.m.Support Local Journalism
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SCOTTDALE - Nesser's Clothing Store owner Isaac Nesser says he likes a challenge.
He's operated the independent, family-operated, retail store specializing in big and tall men's sizes in Scottdale for 14 years. It's one of the long-standing businesses in the town. And as borough officials continue to look at ways to revitalize the downtown, they may look toward Nesser for help. "I like the challenge of making deals and making the goals we've set for the store," he says. Nesser was inspired to open the store, in part, by his family. His grandfather, also named Isaac, sold clothes and linens door-to-door in the area, beginning in the 1920s. He purchased merchandise in Pittsburgh, then took streetcars to different towns, and carried the items he sold in sacks.
Nesser's father, James, also sold door-to-door, but he traveled a truck route and added businesses to his list of customers. James Nesser went on to open Scottdale's first - and one of the country's first - discount stores, "Nesser's Discounts," in the 1960s.
After Nesser completed college, he chose to follow in his grandfather and father's footsteps, but was also influenced in the path he would take by his own difficulty finding clothes.
Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest muscular chest and muscular arms and a bench press record of 825 pounds, Nesser knew it was difficult for a man with a big build to find clothes.
He opened the Scottdale store in 1988, at its first location on Broadway, and in 1991, purchased the former Miller's Department Store building on Pittsburgh Street, the store's current location.
Nesser stresses that all sizes are available, that although the store is renowned for "big and tall," "regular" sizes are always in stock.
Nesser's carries shirts from men's sizes small through 10X. Nesser's has Levi's jeans from a 25 waist through an 80 waist, and also women's jeans from size 1.
If a customer can't find what he or she needs, Nesser's will special order items, a service that few stores provide.
Customers find that the price, as well as the size, is right at Nesser's. Nesser offers quality, name-brand merchandise, such as Levi's, Woolrich, Carhartt, and Duofold, at very competitive prices.
Shoppers looking for a deal can visit Nesser's bargain basement for a selection of marked down apparel.
Nesser's half million dollars of in stock merchandise has expanded the store's customer base far beyond the Fay-West area.
"Our base is up to 150 miles," says Nesser. "People come from Ohio, Virginia once or twice a year. They say they've tried catalogs, but it's better to try clothes on."
Nesser explains, "We offer staple items here, not 'fly-by-night' fashions. We look as what a working man, a big man needs - a winter coat for work, a belt, pocket tees, a suit for a wedding - and we try to take care of that person."
A season draw at Nesser's is the hunting room that offers everything to outfit the outdoorsman.
Nesser's also has sport jackets and suits from size 40 to size 74, and even cashmere coats in larger sizes.
Nesser's provides tailoring for suits. Mary Ann Vinzani of Mary Ann's Sewing Shoppe in Scottdale has tailored suits for Nesser's for five years.
Vinzani says the store and Nesser are definitely assets to Scottdale, drawing people to town from neighboring and far-reaching areas.
Vinzani says the work she has gotten from Nesser's has helped her business and customers often return to her for other sewing needs.
Mayor Tim Carson calls Nesser's "one of our anchors in downtown."
With Scottdale facing the new problem of a number of vacant storefronts, Carson says he appreciated Nesser's commitment and ability to do business in Scottdale for 14 years.
Vinzani comments that the store is not only valuable to Scottdale, but to men from all communities who wear big and tall sizes; some stores that once sold similar merchandise have closed, and Nesser's gives them an opportunity to shop for clothes.
Nesser plans to expand to other communities to meet that need. He is looking at Somerset, Uniontown, and Ligonier as potential sites for a second store as early as this year.
Nesser says he'd like to see additional stores open after the second is established.
Developments at the Scottdale store may include adding a Web site to support the store, and expanding the Levi's in stock merchandise to include children's sizes, based on the large number a special orders he's had for toddler through boys sizes of the jeans.
Nesser will also continue his wholesale uniform business, through which he outfits companies across the country in quality, brand name uniforms, such as Dickies, Carhartt and Red Cap.
Nesser says the commitment to the business has been demanding, a challenge, but things have gone well.
He welcomes new challenges the future is likely to bring: "It's like lifting. I like the challenge of doing something no one else has done."
