Dressed in slacks, a button-down collared shirt and a red bow tie, William Redd says good-bye to one of many customers he has encountered over his years in the retail business. Today marks his 31st anniversary as a salesman.
"Thank you, ma'am, hope to see you again soon," he says as a local patron leaves Eljo's, a traditional men's clothing store located on the Corner. With music playing softly throughout the store and the television set to Fox 5 news, Redd offers his services to another customer who is browsing through the after-Christmas sale items.
Well-known for his kindness, dedication and enthusiasm, Redd has retained some of his customers for over a decade.
"I have never had more compliments from customers on any employee than on William," Eljo's owner Myles Thurston said. "He gives all of the attention and detail and time to every customer that they need to feel comfortable about what they are buying."
This may be in part due to Redd's philosophy.
"I treat the customers how I would want to be treated if I walked into this store to spend some money," Redd said.
Redd began working at Eljo's on Elliewood Avenue in
1988 after working for 18 years at Ed Michton's clothing store, which was located in the building that now houses Starbucks.
El and Jo, the University alumni who were original owners, opened Eljo's in 1950 next to the College Inn. They sold the business to Thurston in the early 1980s, and in 1985 he relocated the store to Elliewood Avenue.
Despite a change in ownership and a change in location, shopping at Eljo's has become a family tradition for many.
One of Redd's frequent customers is fourth-year College student Phillip Payne V whose father has also shopped at Eljo's for many years.
"He is very nice, helpful and open to conversation," Payne said of Redd. "If I ever have any questions, he always leads me in the right direction."
Payne said that Redd always talks about his family life.
He will readily share his history with anyone. Born and raised in Charlottesville, Redd has lived here for 62 1/2 years. He attended Jefferson Elementary School and Burley High School, both segregated schools before 1959.
Beginning in the fourth grade, Redd started working at Durham's Market after school, on Saturdays and over the summer. He delivered groceries, stocked shelves and ran miscellaneous errands. He earned about 40 cents per hour.
"I stopped working there in high school to play football," Redd said, gazing up in recollection.
After graduating from high school, Redd began work at Victorius Inc., a framing business. There he learned skills he has continued to employ throughout his life.
"Some men like golf, but I like to draw, design and build patios," Redd said.
When Victorius moved operations to Waynesboro, Redd began looking for another job. He answered an ad in the paper for a sales position at Ed Michtom's, and after spending 18 years there, the store closed and he moved to Eljo's.
"I am still working at Eljo's because there are so many things I would miss if I didn't," Redd said.
After 13 years on the job, Redd has a treasure chest of stories.
Redd recalls one incident where a young man undressed in the front of the store.
"There was a man who had an hour and a half to get a suit and get to his interview," Redd said while chuckling. "He changed right in front of the store because he didn't think he had time to go to the dressing room."
Redd also remembers times when people have strolled into the store on roller blades or with their dogs.
Being in the clothing business has also given Redd the opportunity to meet many prominent citizens. Over the years, Redd has waited on Gov. Jim Gilmore, Gov. Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania, Sen. John Warner, and Red Skelton, a famous comedian.
"After 30 years, the relaxed atmosphere will grow on you," Redd said of being a "professional clothier" as he calls it. There is no competition among employees -j they are not commissioned salesmen - so Redd has become friends with Thurston and Don Rogers, an Eljo's salesman.
"Don and I would usually have breakfast together at the White Spot in the mornings that both of us worked," Redd said.
On Saturdays, however, they would dine at McDonald's for a change.
Since Redd did not have a long lunch break, he would pack his own lunch.
"I have a tin lunch box that my 30-year-old son was given in the first grade," Redd said. "It is kind of beaten up, but it's a classic."
Redd has been using the Snoopy tin box for the past 22 years.
As a long-time employee of Eljo's, Redd has acquired most of his wardrobe from the store.
"I like suits, but I never wear them to work because chances are that I wouldn't wear the jacket," Redd said. "I generally wear bow ties five days a week while working, but a long tie to church on Sundays."
Although Redd retired from full time work at Eljo's on Dec. 31 in order to spend more time with his family and friends, he continues to work at Eljo's two days a week.
Thurston, his long-time boss and friend, said Redd "is very attentive to the customers and is one of the most patient people I have worked with in business"
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