Reed’s of Columbus Outfits Fashionistas For More Than a Century
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Reed’s of Columbus is one of four iconic Reed’s department stores serving northeast Mississippi. Company founder R.W. Reed Sr. established the original Reed’s in Tupelo in 1905, and the family-owned business became an area leader in fashion, quality and service. Today, despite the national economic downturn, Reed’s 104-year legacy continues to thrive.
Located in the Jackson Square shopping center for the past 12 years, Reed’s of Columbus first opened in 1973 in Leigh Mall, says Lex Jackson, president and owner of the store in partnership with the Reeds of Tupelo.
“We always have tried to carry high-quality goods,” he continues. “And we’ve always been seen as the ‘better’ department store. In fact, we’re considered more of a specialty store – a big one.”
Four distinct departments make up the larger store: menswear, women’s wear, shoes and children’s clothing. With styles ranging from dressy to casual, Reed’s features brands familiar to discriminating buyers – think Ralph Lauren – and trendy, high-end styles such as 7 For All Mankind jeans. The store also is known for its quality sportswear.
“About 20 years ago, we started pioneering casual and outdoor clothing lines like Patagonia and The North Face. It turns out that was a good direction to go in, because they’ve stayed around,” Jackson says.
Men shop here for the leading brands of suits, sportswear, casual wear and outerwear. Selections for women include cosmetics, accessories and racks of designer clothes in up-to-the-minute styles. And the shoe department has something for everyone in the family, from Birkenstock to Johnson & Murphy.
Children and their parents enjoy Reeds’ kid-friendly and heirloom fashions.
“For kids, we carry the same designers we do for adults,” Jackson says. “We also have a lot of boutique-type dresses for special occasions. We carry Feltman Brothers and a line called Life is good® that makes clothes for the whole family.”
Life is good® is a fitting brand for the store, since Jackson is known for his positive, upbeat attitude. Part of that, he says, is inherent in the culture of Reed’s and the philosophy of its founder, who emphasized service in the stores and in the community.
“Mr. Reed said that we need to give back a good bit, so I’ve always tried to do that – and so have a lot of our people,” Jackson says. For him, giving back includes being active in United Way and the Columbus-Lowndes County Development Link. He often speaks to area business owners, and when it comes to weathering the current economic storm, he offers them the same timely advice he follows: “Turn off the TV and don’t listen to the radio, and you’ll feel a lot more optimistic,” he says.
“We’re very fortunate in this area because we’re not experiencing the unemployment that some are. Yes, business is a bit softer, but we’re certainly not in a crisis. I still think there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic. We’re maintaining a good attitude, and we’re doing great.”
Story by Carol Cowan
