Gò0dNews Business Spotlight
Larry McDaniel Celebrates 53 Years In Men’s Clothing Industry
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t the age of 14, Larry McDaniel received his first opportunity in the clothing industry. His uncle Bill Ledford owned Cleveland Men’s Shop on Inman Street. “He hired me May 23, 1967. That is the reason I am in this business today,” McDaniel said. “I have grown up in the industry; I have evolved in this industry.” Raised in Charleston by Hubert and Betty McDaniel, McDaniel credits them with teaching him how to treat people. “I was raised in a Christian home,” he said. He is also proud to have been raised in Charleston and of being a graduate of Charleston High School in 1971. McDaniel attended Cleveland State Community College and then worked for his uncle for three years as a sales clerk. “His mentorship taught me the salesmanship of the business,” he said. In 1970, McDaniel went to work for Daniel Davis at the Village Esquire at the Village Shopping Center. Under Davis, McDaniel went from a sales clerk to a sales manager. “He taught me neatness and organization,” McDaniel said. “I ran the store for him for several years.” In December of 1976, Max R. Carroll approached McDaniel with a business proposition. “He came in and told me, ‘I have a business opportunity for you. How would you like to own your own men’s store?’” McDaniel recalled. “I said, Max, I don’t have the money. In five years, I may have it. Max said we are going to do it now.” In January of 1977, Carroll and McDaniel decided to open the Town Squire. “In life, you have to have people who believe in you and give you an opportunity. I had an uncle, Mr. Davis, and then Max Carroll. He gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. If someone had not opened the door, I would not have had the opportunity so quickly—or maybe never. I’ll be grateful to him for the rest of my life.” McDaniel appreciates the relationships that grew into friendships over the years with customers. “You don’t want to forget the customers who help build your business,” he said. “People who stay with you through the years become friends. It’s not all monetary. You can’t put a price on friends.” McDaniel credits the relationships, customer service, and being appreciative of customers as a few of the
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reasons his business has grown. When he first opened Town Squire, the store took as its motto, “We’re the shop that appreciates the customer.” They still follow that philosophy. McDaniel is very involved in the community. He is involved in United Way, Junior Achievement, and serves on the advisory board for Southern Heritage Bank, a division of First Citizen National Bank. He is also a member of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, where he has served on the board in past years as well. He has also served as an assistant treasurer with the Bradley Baptist association. In 1996, McDaniel was named Small Business Retailer of the year. He is also a member of the Noonday Rotary Club of Cleveland.
About his heritage, McDaniel said, “I am proud to have been from Charleston. I am proud to be a Bradley Countian and Cleveland resident. We are all from the same team. We all grow together. By the blessings of God, the teachings of my parents, and the mentors in my life, I can look back at 67 years and see what it has meant to me.” Larry also expressed appreciation for the support from his family: his wife, Linda; his daughters and sonsin-law, Tennille and Jonathan, Jobe and Tiffany, and Ben Inscore; and his grandsons, Chandler, Tyler, Trae, Andrew, Cameron, and Aidan. “I’m blessed!”
