Clare & Company was formed by Leslie Cox in 2010 for the purpose of providing upscale children’s clothing to the families of the Evansville region. As a consignment store that specializes in upscale and always in demand labels like Ralph Lauren, Gymboree, Carter’s, and Oshkosh, Leslie is able to offer the highest quality in children’s clothing at affordable prices to Tri-State families. Leslie chose the quaint location of Downtown Newburgh to pursue her dream. Her inviting shop is located at #10 West Jennings Street just across the street from Cafe’ Aruzu.
In choosing the name Ms. Cox is showing her love for her two year old daughter Clare as well as for her childhood home of Rosiclare, Illinois, the charming town of 1,213 souls on the shores of the Ohio River where she was raised.
Leslie did not just jump into the competitive retail clothing world without acquiring valuable experience in the retail industry and doing some business planning. Ms. Cox left her home in the bucolic community of Rosiclare to become a cosmetic consultant at Sears. Her stint at Sears was followed by a climb up the corporate ladder and into J. C. Penney and finally into management of both the Home Department and the Clothing Departments of upscale retailers Dillard’s, Coldwater Creek, and Gordman’s where she learned the art of Visual Advertising.
While building her resume’ Ms. Cox did as many aspiring young people do and attended college. At college Leslie studied both human resource management and business. It was during this time that the entrepreneurship bug bit her. Clare & Company is the realization of her training, her dream, and her passion to help mothers (and even fathers) who want the best for their children on a budget. Her target market is parents that are “posh yet thrifty”. All of the inventory at Clare & Company comes from direct sellers and is thoroughly examined before cleaning for presentation on the showroom floor.
Leslie’s philosophy about entrepreneurship can be summed up by her statements that “Rome was not built in a day”, and “we much accept challenges to get anywhere in life”. With her contagious smile and her radiant personality, Leslie and her dream of Clare & Co. will be adding enduring charm with thrift to Downtown Newburgh.
Leslie’s dream for Clare & Co. is to offer lines of children;s clothing that will allow every child to be individual and unique. Yes, that word was every. Leslie lights up at the prospect of expanding her Newburgh store to other cities like Louisville, Indianapolis, and Paducah, KY. It seems like this lady from Rosiclare is on her way to realizing her unique version of the American dream.
