Brook's Uniforms Opens, With School Uniforms At Center Stage

Woonsocket public school students and their parents now have a new option for school uniforms right on Main Street: Brook's Uniforms.

Therese Fanning, store owner, has been living in Woonsocket since 1970.  Fanning has been a licensed childcare provider for 14 years, working at a home. “I’ve helped raise a lot of family’s children,” Fanning said. 

After her granddaughter enrolled at a Woonsocket school, Fanning realized that she was having a difficult time finding the right outfit for her to meet the required school uniform policy, which was enforced late last year.

That year, Fanning went on a vacation to visit her family back home in Alabama, and had brought up the idea of school uniforms.  After some talk with her family and research she thought it would be a great opportunity to open a business. 

When she came back home,  Fanning spoke with her husband of her plans to open up a store to provide necessary attire for students attending Woonsocket public schools.

“This is what we need in Woonsocket,” Fanning said. Fanning chose a Main Street location to open her business because she knows that this is one area where the city wants to keep the business growing. Fanning used her maiden name, Brooks, to name the establishment. 

The store carries merchandise ranging from school uniforms and medical field attire or scrubs.  “I want it to be affordable to people that have children that are going to school,” she said.  Fanning wants to keep the prices as low as possible while still bringing in enough to run the business.  “I would like to accommodate everybody.” 

Brook's Uniforms, located on 10 Main Street, carries apparel including polo shirts, cardigans, khaki skirts and skorts, capris and bottoms that would be acceptable to wear on school grounds.  The price range is affordable with everything from $6 tees to $25 jackets.

The scrubs come in various styles and selections, ranging from $10 to around $20.  The scrubs can be purchased separately or as a set.

As a first time store owner, Fanning is willing to work with customers to help with getting what they need.   Eventually, Fanning said she may be doing some embroidery work as well. The store currently has a few T-shirts that she has embroidered on display.  The cost has not been set yet but she said it would not be expensive. 

The store officially opened this morning Saturday, April 2, and will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.