Anyone who strolls through West Chester may be surprised to see that the storefront at the corner of South High and Miner Street has dramatically changed. Formerly the location of Lorenzo’s, a town landmark for cheesesteaks and hoagies, this prime spot is now the location of a hip, new male clothing store called Largo. The quick change in businesses has left many WCU students rather confused when they unknowingly open the front doors in hopes of being met with the appetizing smell of fried onions and steak. Instead they are surrounded by some of the newest and most stylish fashions and accessories for males of all ages.Largo owner Lisa Natalizio finds the students’ initial surprise rather amusing and had this to say: “It is priceless to see the faces of those seeking cheesesteaks as they open the door to Largo. Instead of leaving with a tasty meal or snack, many of the people that accidentally stumble in actually end up looking around and eventually leave with a new t-shirt or pair of pants.”
Largo is the type of store that offers clothing for males of all ages. The styles that are featured have fashion variety while remaining relatively inexpensive. Several main brands are offered including Ben Sherman, brand from the UK, and MBX, a company specializing in button-down, casual, and formal shirts. A new addition for the springtime will be the Penguin brand by Munsingwear.
There are also several types of backpacks, hats, belts, and duffel bags displayed throughout the store. Swimsuits and sandals are offered for those who are already preparing for their spring break adventures. Several watches can be purchased at the front counter, and a new brand called Cunningham Timewear was introduced on Nov. 19. These watches are created by a local Philadelphia man and should be a great addition to the already wide selection of items within the store.
There is even a line of male cosmetics offered, called Jack Black Cosmetics. The products include aftershave, cologne, sunscreen, and face buffer for the male who is concerned about keeping himself well groomed and looking good. Prices range greatly from brand to brand, but here are some typical price tags for various items. Jeans from Ben Sherman are about $70 while T-shirts are $20. Track jackets will be about $78 while a new book bag can be purchased for $35. A typical button-down shirt from MBX can be purchased for around $80. Prices are comparable to those found on many designer brands from the mall or online.
Largo officially opened its doors in June of this year. Owner Lisa Natalizio decided to open this store because she saw no other place in West Chester that focused primarily on male fashion. She wanted a boutique that ranged from casual wear to more formal nighttime attire such as button down shirts and ties.
Having grown up in Florida, Natalizio also wanted to incorporate a tropical feel to both her store and its merchandise. The name Largo actually comes from the first island of the Florida Keys, the notorious Key Largo. As Natalizio says, “Largo is a destination for cool, casual male clothing that looks as if it were picked up in the Florida Keys and dropped in West Chester.”
Natalizio’s lifelong involvement in retail and corporate sales made the idea of running a male clothing boutique seem like a natural choice. She, along with one partner, control all the jobs and responsibilities of running this store.
All West Chester students are encouraged to stop in and tour this great new addition to the downtown community. A 10 percent discount will be given on all items when a WCU ID card is presented. Even sale items are included in this offer. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11-6, Friday 11-7, Saturday 10- 5, and Sunday 12-4. The store remains open for appointments any day, as long as a shopper calls ahead. Hours will be extended for the holiday season to encourage even more people to stop in and look around. To contact Natalizio with any questions or comments, call Largo at (610) 429-5770.