Friends' Merchant Series: Young Fashions

Editor's note: As part of their fundraising efforts for this year, the Friends of the Hasbrouck Heights Library is asking area businesses to offer discounts to library supporters who join their Friends Merchants program. Friends' Justin Watrel has prepared profiles of participating businesses, which Patch has agreed to publish one to two times per month throughout the year. Patch plays no role in selecting the businesses or writing the profiles.

Entering Young Fashions on the Boulevard is like stepping back in time to when shopping was about leisure, good service and an owner who knew your name and would take time to help you with your selection of merchandise.

The store brims with beautiful children's clothes, plush toys and interesting silver gifts that will be wrapped perfectly for that special recipient. Clothing not found in the department stores is available here. The store is a reminder of a time when people dressed for the sake of dressing.

The owner of this unique clothing shop, Addie Carrino, wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I try not to compete with the department stores, because I feel I offer customers selections of clothing not offered by the big stores. We carry outfits that you will never see in the department stores.  I do all the buying myself and I buy for my customers and what I think they will like. The way children dress has changed over the years and when I visit the showrooms and trade shows, I keep in pulse in what is happening in the children’s garment industry.”

Carrino (nee Sansone) was born and raised in Hackensack and is a Hackensack High School Alumnus. She and her husband, Anthony raised their three children here and now her grandchildren are being raised in the area.

Her daughter, Liz, owns “Not Too Shabby” right next door.

“My husband was very helpful in helping grow the business. I originally opened the business across the street where the post office is now. Six months later, I moved the business into this location and since then, we have expanded and renovated three times over the years.”

“I got into the children’s business in a roundabout way. I started my career as a private secretary at Ford and Bendix and I hated it. One day I was walking around the Boulevard and decided that I wanted to open my own business and since there was no children’s store in Hasbrouck Heights, I decided that was the business I wanted to start. Here I am 56 years later and in March I will be open 57 years in Hasbrouck Heights,”  Carrino added.

“We have a big selection of christening and communion outfits with all the accessories for the big event,” Carrino said. “When clothing like this is sold, we check the garment over to be sure all the stitching and beading is in place and then we hand press the outfit and wrap it for pick up. This is a service that the big stores don’t do anymore.”

“Some of the special services Young Fashions offers are hand pressing of garments then specialty packaged for pick up and can be wrapped in one of many gift wrapping options. We will wrap the gift, ribbon it and add an accompanying card to it complimentary. This separates us from many establishments,” Carrino explained. “We will also wrap multiple infant
purchases into baskets for baby showers. This is a big hit with new mothers.”

“I find that a lot of my customers are grandparents buying for their new grandchildren, aunts buying for family members and new mothers picking out the perfect gift for their child,” Carrino said. “What I find is that my customers trust my opinion. They appreciate my taste and good judgment in making a selection. I do my best to tailor the gift to the person they are buying it for. If the gift is not correct, we have a liberal return policy and don’t question the return.”

Some of the items carried by the store include baby clothing, girl’s clothing for tweens and teens, jewelry, Gund plush animals, dolls, piggy banks, socks and an array of boys clothing that will dress a young gentlemen both for the evening out and a day of play.

“What makes this store special is the service myself and the staff gives to our customers. We find that people travel from other towns to shop with us. Our reputation is built on quality clothing and gifts, excellent service and a nice atmosphere. I enjoy talking with my customers and make them feel welcome,” Carrino said.

It is very rare these days to find a store where the owner greets you warmly, knows their merchandise and helps you through the entire transaction, then wraps the selection in beautiful wrapping paper with a ribbon and card, all ready to be given to a special child. This and many other wonderful surprises await you at Young Fashions.

Young Fashions
208 Boulevard
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
201-288-9371
Parking is in the rear