Meet Addie Carrino, Owner of Young Fashions

Welcome back to Down the Boulevard, a feature on Hasbrouck Heights Patch where we ask the business owners in our town a few questions about their business and themselves. Get to know your business owners.

Addie Carrino says many people have told her “you just don’t find shops like this anymore.”

She has been running her shop, , for 56 years and may possibly be the oldest merchant on the Boulevard.

"It's a labor of love," she says, referring to the nearly six decades of which she has devoted to carrying quality infant and children’s clothing along with her personal service which runs deep into her long term customer base. Her personal touch goes so deep that that people easily recognize packages that she gift wraps.

Often customers have told her that they know immediately where the packages are from when they see the gift wrapped boxes at baby showers, birthday parties, etc. Even the kids recognize the packaging, she said.

Carrino is originally from Hackensack and later moved to Hasbrouck Heights where she raised her family. Before Young Fashions came into her life she worked as a private secretary. It was boring, she said, and not at all for her. One day upon walking along the Boulevard she decided opening a clothing shop was what she wanted to do and she has devoted her life to it ever since.

She continuously works at the shop six days a week. The only thing that has changed over the years is that she no longer keeps evening hours but the shop is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Carrino said she will only carry items that meet her standards of quality. She pulled out a small pink knit sweater from underneath the counter pointing out its zipper which goes along the back, as opposed to the front. The sweater is designed that way so the baby won’t get clipped by the zipper underneath her neck, she explained. Sharing this type of useful information is an example of the type of personal service she gives to customers.

She also works to guide people in their purchase. If one were to shop for an outfit for a newborn she’ll advise them to get something the baby can grow into. In most cases the newborn’s mother would have already had a baby shower and likely has tons of newborn baby clothing and therefore something in 6 to 9 months size would be best, she explained.

The shop also specializes in baptismal and communion clothing. She said the shop will also do pressing so things like communion outfits are ready to wear.

Her customer base hails from the borough and neighboring communities as well. She has found that word travels fast and has therefore done very little if any advertising over the years.

“After 56 years, I would say I am planted.”