ALL IN THE FAMILY WITH

Together, they filled the embroidery/ ironing/alterations room with the family working together.

They were preparing for the White Coat ceremony at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. On Monday of the first week of school, students are measured. When students recite their Hippocratic oath on Friday of that week, they don their new coats.

The journey for those coats means a busy week at White Banner Uniforms on Broadway in downtown Fargo. The university’s medical school information and the student’s name have to be perfect for this first step in professional development.

Mary English, her husband Allan Luistro, MD, and their children, Kristin, a sophomore at Concordia College; Katherine, a junior at Fargo Davies High School, and Alex, a freshman at Davies, work together to make it happen.

White Banner is in its second generation in English’s family. Her mother, Eleanor English, who just celebrated her 80th birthday, purchased the shop in 1961. Four women have owned the shop since it began.

White Banner uniforms fill area universities, schools, businesses and homes – not always as uniforms. Many wear the clothing for comfort.

The business began with starched white nurse uniforms, caps and hosiery. Now the staff that includes oldest daughter Kristin, helps customers find clothes that will make their care-giving jobs comfortable.

“We offer fashion, comfort, brains and beauty. We educate people about their options and the benefits of different fabrics and styles. We help people dress for their profession,” English said.

The store has more than clothing and shoes. Downstairs in the law enforcement center they offer everything from body armor to shoelaces. At Halloween, they double and triple check customers. You need an ID to purchase handcuffs and other things.

While you shop for scrubs, you can shop for medical equipment. You can purchase comfortable shoes and lanyards.

If you are looking for a chef’s hat in the hospitality department, you’ll find it. Many area restaurants connect with White Banner to clothe employees.

Many industries require identification clothing. White Banner provides the merchandise.

Kristen, a nurse at Sanford Orthopedics, said White Banner is not only a one-stop shop, it is nice to be able to find equipment.

“Their clothes are really comfortable. The clothes are cute and there is a good selection of top names. They have so much selection, it’s just fun to shop there.”

In 1981, they opened a boutique in Grand Forks. “It was the first concept store in the Midwest,” English said. Cherokee, strategic partner in the store, came to English because of the Fargo store’s reputation.

English calls her staff “hard-working professionals serving hard-working professionals. We are passionate about what we do. We see ourselves as caring for the caregiver.” Becky Anderson is the on-site manager in the Fargo store. “She helps us keep growing.”

White Banner also offers a website with fast delivery. Check whitebanner. com for special sizes and continually updated products. “The website gives us more options and our customers more flexibility,” English added.

“We have fun together. It is hard work, it is good work.” [AWM]