In an industry where fashion trends come and go and many small businesses struggle to survive, a local retail staple is celebrating a major milestone.
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Cliff Rose for Clothes is officially marking 40 years of dressing the Border City and its surrounding communities.
While the name on the sign belongs to the original founder, current owner Dave Schneider has been a fixtures at the shop for 36 of those 40 years. For Schneider, the anniversary is a testament to the foundation laid by his mentor.
“Forty years, Cliff taught me a lot,” Schneider said. “Customer service is huge for us, and community involvement. Cliff was involved and just put everything into it. I’ve kind of taken that over.”
That legacy of mentorship continues today, as Schneider is now working to pass those community-minded values down to the next generation by getting his daughter involved in the business and local charity events.
Over the decades, the business has woven itself tightly into the fabric of the region. Schneider, who currently serves as the chairman of The Olive Tree and has worked closely with the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, says giving back is simply a way to thank the community that keeps his doors open.
“They’ve supported us, and it’s not just Lloydminster, but it’s the whole surrounding area,” Schneider said, noting that loyal customers regularly drive in from communities like Provost and Cold Lake. “We want to make sure we give back to everyone as well.”
That loyalty spans generations. Schneider has watched young men he once fitted for graduation suits return decades later to buy suits for their own children’s graduations.
“It’s exciting to see these kids grow up,” he said.
While retail landscapes have shifted dramatically since the mid-1980s, Schneider says the secret to the store’s longevity is a simple, unchanging philosophy: a customer-first approach that focuses on making people feel valued during major life moments.
“Everyone that works here has that customer first,” Schneider said. “We go above and beyond for a lot of stuff … we make sure they feel like they’re the special one for that day.”
Whether it is helping a groom feel special on his wedding day or offering a compassionate, listening ear to someone buying a suit for a funeral, Schneider says reading the room and taking time for people is what sets them apart.
“The best part of my day is just seeing someone happy when they leave, that we made their day a little more happy.”
To celebrate the 40-year milestone, the store is expanding its traditional Street Fest sale into a two-day event kicking off Friday, June 5.
The festivities begin Friday afternoon with a tent setup, live music from The Kenny Mac Band, and a lineup of four to five local vendors showcasing everything from baking to popcorn. Members of the Lori Craven Memorial Tournament will also be on-site hosting a charity barbecue from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The celebration will continue into Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of Lloydminster’s annual Street Fest.
Schneider is pleased to share that the original founder, Cliff, who now resides in a local care home, will be joining the festivities on Friday.
Looking ahead, Schneider admits he is incredibly proud to hit a milestone that few retail businesses ever see — though he joked he doesn’t plan on being behind the counter by the time the 50th anniversary rolls around.
“Forty is a huge number,” Schneider said. “I’m hoping maybe that I’m not here working at 50, but you never know what life puts in front of you.”
Until then, he views his long list of regular customers as more than just a clientele.
“They’ve been great to us. They’re family,” Schneider said. “We have ones that are friends now.”
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