Finding men's clothes in unusual sizes can be a tall order, but Betty Holder, owner of Cuff and Collar for Tall and Big Men, has managed to do just that for 40 years in Texarkana.
"I originally was hemming just for tall men, but men of large stature started asking 'What about us?' so I expanded, just like we all do," Holder said.
Holder established the original Cuff and Collar in April 1978 on East Fifth Street, by the former St. Michael Hospital.
"My first husband was tall, and back then, clothes-especially shirts-seemed in short supply for his size," she said.
"I started with shirts, but customers came in asking about other clothing items and sizes. I kept adding to what we offer over 40 years.
"Back in 1978, not many manufacturers made those unusual sizes for men," she said. "Shirt size ranged from Large to 2X tall. That was all that was available. Now, they go up to 10x Big. Pants start at 36-inch waist and go up to 80."
As Holder began to build her business, she began attracting customers from places beyond Texarkana.
"There just weren't many people doing this early on," she said. "So I have clients from as far off as New York City and the Phillipines. We have a mail-order service and have had a website for over 25 years."
Over time, her loyal customers have become more like family.
"I never really thought I would be doing it this long," Holder said. "But you do a business like this long enough, they do become a family. I have even fitted people for the funerals of customers and sent sympathy cards to the families of customers who passed on."
Henry Shoals of Texarkana said he's shopped at the store for years.
"I hate to see it close," he said, adding that it's "a good place to shop for large guys."
Brenda Scott of Fulton, Ark., was taking advantage of the deals available. She first shopped at Cuff and Collar around Christmas 2017. She hates to see the store close, too.
"There aren't many places around specializing in clothes for the big and tall men," she said.
It is easy to see Holder's personality in the store's decor. Stylishly dressed mannequin Jose greets customers at the door.
"We used to keep him at the window facing outside, but neighbors complained. He makes some people nervous," Holder said. "He has been around the store for about 25 years."
"Jose is cool. Everyone says 'hi' to him," a customer said.
Holder admits she can't resist going into a closing store and buying something. That's how Jose came to Cuff and Collar.
"I don't think I have ever bought a new rack," she said.
Cuff and Collar is a thriving business with a large and loyal clientele, but after 40 years, Holder has decided it is time to close.
"This has been a great business and a great location," she said. "When I first opened, most of my customers were older people who were literally customers for life. I've just realized the time has come. The business is great-no shortage of customers-but there comes a time, and it is time."