Darien, CT – November 24, 2014 – Edward Tunick, owner of Edward Tunick – Men's Clothier with a large selection of Women's Accessories - located in the Noroton Heights Shopping Center in Darien has announced that he will be retiring and closing the store in mid-January after 38 years in business. Edward Tunick is a full service men's specialty store – from socks to suits to outerwear and everything in between for business, casual an formal wear. While its been a great 38 years and business is good, it's time for Edward and his wife to start the next chapter. From now through Christmas and into January, Tunick will run a storewide retirement sale to liquidate the entire inventory, including antiques, store displays, fixtures, etc.
Edward Tunick grew up in Shippan Point in Stamford, attended Rogers School and graduated from St. Luke’s in New Canaan. After 4 years of college in Boston and Ft. Lauderdale, he took a job in a clothing store in Norwalk which began his career in retailing. Over the next couple of years, Tunick worked for several different stores in Ft. Lauderdale, Stamford and Westport. He even tried his hand at the manufacturing/wholesale side of the clothing business for Stanley Blacker in New York City – one of the leading designers of his time. However, he soon found out that retail was more to his liking. Tunick opened his first store in Avon, CT in 1973 and closed it and reopened in the Noroton Heights Shopping Center in Darien on October 23, 1976 where he has been ever since. He married his wife, Carol, in 1979.
In addition to being an avid boater and occasional golfer, tennis is high on the priority list – all of which he plans on doing much more of, including travel, during retirement. His wife will tell you tennis is his first true love as he started playing when he was 7 and has not stopped since then. Edward Tunick is currently serving as Tennis Chair at Shore & Country Club in East Norwalk, as well as playing on several of their league teams. For 20 years, he has traveled to New Braunfels, Texas to play tennis with “The Legends” such as John Newcombe, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, Cliff Drysdale, Fred Stolle and numerous others. It’s been quite a privilege to be on the courts with some of the greatest individuals to ever play the game. Tunick can even brag that he has aced a few of them and has the signed affidavits and videos to prove it!
One of Tunick’s most fulfilling memories of his business career in Darien was back in 1991 when he was presented the “Darien Business Person of the Year” award. When he received the call, he first thought they had the wrong number, but for some reason they were actually calling him. It was quite an honor and he was especially glad that his parents were alive to see him receive the award as they were extremely proud.
Being in business in Darien for 38 years, Tunick has always felt it was important to give back to the community. In addition to having served on the Kiwanis Club and Darien Chamber of Commerce Boards, he has tried to support the various organizations and charities in Darien for their fundraisers. For the past 20 years, he has contributed to scholarships associated with Darien High School, giving back a portion of the tuxedo rentals from each prom season. In 2008, he established the Edward Tunick Business Scholarship which was awarded each year to a graduating senior. The scholarship criteria was based on financial need, after-school work involvement that demonstrates good work ethics and community service, and plans to pursue a career in business. In November, 2013, he was the recipient of the Darien Old-Timers Athletic Association Community Civic Award.
In reflecting on the past 38 years, Edward Tunick is truly proud to be a member of the Darien business community. He feels strongly that the desire of the town residents to shop locally is what has kept him and other small merchants in business during the rough economic times.
Hearing comments from your customers that they know and appreciate what you do for the community makes it all worthwhile!
Deciding to retire and close the store is very bittersweet for Edward Tunick as it is the relationships with his customers that he will truly miss as he is now clothing second and third generations of families whom have been shopping with him since he opened in 1976. Those customers who already know of his plans to retire, while very happy for him, have all remarked: “What will we do without you and the store -- You are an institution and will be a great loss to the community.”
For further information, contact Edward Tunick at tel (203) 655-1688 – www.edwardtunick.com.