Unique Uniforms by Sandy Austin

The idea was to start a small, manageable business in Albany. The hope was it would be something that Sandy Austin and her sister Peggy Schaeffer would find fulfilling.

They got what they wanted, opening Unique Uniforms last year.

Austin and husband, Tim, are now sole owners, although Peggy still works at the store three days a week.

“We were retired and wanted something to do beyond normal retirement activities. This is a good fit,” said Austin.

The sisters pooled their resources and found a niche in the specialized clothing store providing uniforms for a variety of professions.

“To my knowledge it’s the only store of its kind in the valley outside of a few chain stores in Salem,” said Austin.

The emphasis is on medical attire, but culinary apparel, coveralls for auto mechanics and other specialized uniforms are available. Still, major sales are to the medical community. Scrubs, lab coats, nurses shoes, even stethoscopes and other accessories are in supply.

“We intentionally geared it to nurses,” said Austin.

The word spread quickly. Despite getting involved just as the economy started to slide, Unique Uniforms has seen steady growth. Even before the doors opened customers were waiting to buy.

“We were bringing in boxes and getting set up and people wanted to order,” smiled Austin. “Each month it gets better. Our product got noticed.”

Austin said the store is stocked with major company brands like Cherokee, Landon and White Swan. There are 13 suppliers in all.

“The nurses know the names,” said Austin.

Unique Uniforms also offers the little extras to bring people through the doors. Custom embroidering on uniforms, name tag engraving and special ordering of uniforms in smaller or larger sizes are all offered.

“It’s not possible to have enough inventory for everyone’s needs,” said Austin.

She said one of the best parts of the business is helping young nurses get started.

“Getting them into the core colors and showing them there are a lot of ways to build a uniform that won’t cost them an arm and a leg is important,” said Austin.

The variety of colors and patterns offer nurses choices Austin says she wouldn’t have imagined 30 years ago.

Making uniforms look good to customers is important with such a wide selection. Every uniform in the store was individually ironed when they opened.

“We had four ironing boards going,” said Austin.

An online presence will be up running at www.uniqueuniforms

online.com within days. Browsers will be able to pick out a uniform, order it from a supplier on the phone, and once it is delivered come in and try it on.

“Sometimes when you order online you find out nothing fits. We want people to find what they want there and still come in for a fitting,” said Austin.

The shop although less than 1,000-square-feet provides just enough room.

“It looked huge when it was empty but now we’re pretty packed. We haven’t been able to stop it from growing,” Austin said. “But we love this location and we love what we do.”

Unique Uniforms, which is located at 3111 Santiam Hwy. S.E., is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The phone number is (541) 791-1152.

“There has been an overwhelming positive response,” acknowledged Austin. “But the best thing about this business is it makes me feel like I’m really helping the nurses.”


This article is from www.democratherald.com

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