J. McLaughlin Brings New Style to Downtown Corner

The northeast corner of 1st and Washington streets in downtown Hinsdale will get a bit of a makeover in the spring, but for now, the corner’s new tenant is focused on ingraining itself into the community.

J. McLaughlin, a clothier that sells a “country-club casual” style according to manager Chrissy Martin, opened its Hinsdale location in the midst of the holiday season on Dec. 10; it’s the New York-based clothier’s third Illinois location and there are 54 J. McLaughlin stores across the country.

“We’ve been really well received,” Martin said. “There are a lot of people who recognize the brand.”

The store at 53 S. Washington St. sells clothes on the preppier side, the manager said. Customers won’t find “fad clothes” that won’t be considered fashionable the following season. Martin said the store embraces a classic style, so a shirt that you buy in the fall would we wearable through the winter and into the spring.

Martin said J. McLaughlin is very picky about where it opens stores, and the clothier spent several years trying to break through into Hinsdale. Its other Illinois locations are in the North Shore communities of Winnetka and Lake Forest.

J. McLaughlin is in the process of joining the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, Martin said, and is looking forward to participating in local nonprofit events in the future.

“We’re really focused on the community,” Martin said.

Martin said that though the store is part of a chain, she tries to promote a small-business feel. When it’s warm outside, the front door open will be open, and Martin loves bringing in Benny, her Bichon-Shih Tzu mix, to the store so kids can have some entertainment while mom and dad shop.

At the Jan. 11 Plan Commission meeting, architect Patrick McCarty of Matocha Associates presented his client’s plans for exterior changes at the location that would be implemented in the spring.

Gold awnings will be installed over the windows and several planters will be placed at the corner. The currently blue front door will be repainted gold, as will the storefront’s window fixtures.

“Each of their stores has a little bit different color pattern,” McCarty said of J. McLaughlin. “They try to make them a little unique to themselves.”

The Plan Commission signed off on the changes. All J. McLaughlin needs now is the approval of the Board of Trustees.

J. McLaughlin is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Wednesday as well as on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday, it stays open until 7 p.m. Its Sunday hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

You can also shop for J. McLaughlin items online here, and Martin said she can answer any questions online customers have over the phone. The store’s number is 630-468-2597.