Steve & Barry’s opens

The rapidly expanding private chain Steve & Barry’s opened at the St. Lawrence Centre in Massena Friday, occupying a space at the mall’s east end that had long ago been abandoned by Ames.

The discount clothing store prides itself on offering quality, name brand clothing at low prices, for the entire family.

“We’re really a one-stop shop for the entire family and we’re known for extreme values,” said Steve & Barry’s spokesperson Rachel Brenner. “The customers come in with $50 and they can literally buy a head to toe entire outfit.”

The store carries their own brand as well as lines from celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, whose “Bitten” clothing line proves that “fashion is not a luxury, it’s a right.”

Clothing and sneaker lines from Venus Williams, Amanda Bynes and NBA player Ben Wallace are also carried by Steve & Barry’s.

The store carries clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry and footwear.

“The important thing is that it’s for the entire family,” Brenner said.

Currently all Steve & Barry’s stores in the region are running their post-holiday promotion, which means nothing in the store costs more than $8.98.

However, the store never brings their prices above $20.

“Especially moms love coming into our store because they’ll grab a cart and pick up something for everyone in the family,” said Brenner.

Despite their always-low prices, Brenner said quality is a priority to Steve & Barry’s.

“We strive to make sure that people are getting really great value,” she said.

The chain began as a college clothing store in the early 1980s and only in the past 8 years has expanded to carry all types of clothing.

There are currently almost 260 Steve & Barry’s stores nationwide, of which almost 100 have opened just in the past year.

“So we’re in the middle of an incredible expansion,” Brenner said.

While the low prices of Steve & Barry’s might be especially appealing to low-income families, Brenner said the store has found success in all demographics.

“Everyone loves a bargain,” she said.

At the Massena location, the store was flooded with activity and people drove from miles around to see the new store.

“It’s been pretty exciting the last few days,” Brenner said.

The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10-9 and Sunday from 11-6.