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David Graves. Alexander Davis Men’s Clothing store in downtown Boise, Idaho, March 18, 2022.
Boise’s Oldest Store to Close. By Tim Woodward Columnist March 6, 2022.
David Graves jokes that he’s “the mayor of Eighth Street.”
“If there were such a thing, I’d be it,” he said.
Graves has worked at the Alexander Davis men’s clothing store in downtown Boise for 38 years. He’s sold suits to senators, governors, mayors and billionaires.
And to regular folks who just want to look good in their clothes. He’s waited on as many as four generations of the same families.
The store is a piece of Idaho history. Alexander Davis, 812 W. Bannock Street, is the oldest retail store in the city and possibly in the state.
It was founded in 1891 by Moses Alexander, a two-time Boise mayor and Idaho governor. The store has operated continuously for 131 years, supplying menswear to customers from miners and farmers to tycoons and statesmen. Hanging on one of its walls is a framed copy of its workman’s compensation policy — Policy No. 1A, the first ever issued in Idaho.
An upscale store with high-end merchandise, expert tailoring and employees with decades of experience, it’s believed to be the eleventh oldest clothing store in the U.S.
But its long run is about to end.
“It’s time,” Graves said. “Our last day will be April 30.”
Graves purchased the store from the Alexander family in 2006. COVID hurt sales, as it has for many businesses, and after nearly 40 years of working there he was ready to retire.
In his time at the store, he’s sold suits to Idaho’s U.S. senators, Gov. Robert E. Smylie and every other governor since Cecil Andrus, seven in all. His customers have included Idaho’s potato king, J.R. Simplot, and Joe Albertson, founder of the Albertsons grocery store chain.
As you might expect, he’s had his share of memorable encounters with customers.
“There was a time on a Saturday after closing time when I heard a panicked knock
Boise’s Oldest Store to Close. By Tim Woodward Columnist March 6, 2022.
David Graves jokes that he’s “the mayor of Eighth Street.”
“If there were such a thing, I’d be it,” he said.
Graves has worked at the Alexander Davis men’s clothing store in downtown Boise for 38 years. He’s sold suits to senators, governors, mayors and billionaires.
And to regular folks who just want to look good in their clothes. He’s waited on as many as four generations of the same families.
The store is a piece of Idaho history. Alexander Davis, 812 W. Bannock Street, is the oldest retail store in the city and possibly in the state.
It was founded in 1891 by Moses Alexander, a two-time Boise mayor and Idaho governor. The store has operated continuously for 131 years, supplying menswear to customers from miners and farmers to tycoons and statesmen. Hanging on one of its walls is a framed copy of its workman’s compensation policy — Policy No. 1A, the first ever issued in Idaho.
An upscale store with high-end merchandise, expert tailoring and employees with decades of experience, it’s believed to be the eleventh oldest clothing store in the U.S.
But its long run is about to end.
“It’s time,” Graves said. “Our last day will be April 30.”
Graves purchased the store from the Alexander family in 2006. COVID hurt sales, as it has for many businesses, and after nearly 40 years of working there he was ready to retire.
In his time at the store, he’s sold suits to Idaho’s U.S. senators, Gov. Robert E. Smylie and every other governor since Cecil Andrus, seven in all. His customers have included Idaho’s potato king, J.R. Simplot, and Joe Albertson, founder of the Albertsons grocery store chain.
As you might expect, he’s had his share of memorable encounters with customers.
“There was a time on a Saturday after closing time when I heard a panicked knock
- Copyright
- (C) 2022 Gregg Mizuta
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- Gregg Mizuta
- Contained in galleries
- Alexander Davis
