Sy Syms

Sy Syms (born Seymour Merron, August 12, 1926 – January 22, 2009) was an American businessman and entrepreneur, best known for founding the discount clothing retail chain Syms Corp.

Syms was born in Brooklyn, New York. He started his business career by selling insurance. In 1959, he opened his first clothing store in New York City, pioneering the concept of off-price retailing by buying directly from manufacturers and selling clothing at significantly reduced prices. He called his business "Syms," using a shortened version of his first name.

The Syms Corp. chain eventually expanded to over 50 stores across the United States. Its business model revolved around acquiring overstocked or out-of-season merchandise from clothing manufacturers and selling it to consumers at prices significantly lower than traditional retailers. Syms often emphasized the educational aspect of its business, encouraging customers to understand the intricacies of fabric, design, and manufacturing processes to make informed purchasing decisions. The company's tagline was "An Educated Consumer Is Our Best Customer."

Syms was known for his eccentric personality and his hands-on approach to managing his business. He often appeared in the company's television commercials.

Following his death in 2009, his daughter Marcy Syms took over as CEO of Syms Corp. However, the company faced increasing competition from other discount retailers and online retailers, and it filed for bankruptcy in 2011, eventually liquidating all its stores.

While the retail chain no longer exists, the name Sy Syms remains associated with the concept of off-price retailing and his famous tagline is still often quoted.