Wayne has a rich history and many businesses that date back over 100 years – one example is Swan’s Apparel.  

Swan’s Apparel is a 101–year–old women’s clothing store on Main Street. Next to it is its sister store, or rather, brother store. Swan’s for Men was established in 2017 as an additive to Swan’s Apparel. 

Swan’s Apparel was established in Wayne in 1919 by Maude McLean and Anna McCreary, according to an article in the Norfolk Daily News. The store was first established as a hat store but over the years it evolved into the women’s clothing store it is now. 

 A year after the hat store opened, Maude married Al Swan who became very active in the store as well. After the marriage, the store was named “Swan’s Apparel.” 

The store has been passed through four owners, none of whom were related so it is unknown why Maude McLean and Anna McCreary decided to open their store here, Jennifer Claussen, owner of both stores, said.  

Claussen said she took over the business when the previous owner stepped down. Claussen has worked retail since she was 16 years old. After she began working for Swan’s Apparel, she began to have a deep appreciation for small town businesses.  

These stores sell a variety of clothes for all ages and styles, Claussen said. Claussen added that she has seen 12-year-olds shopping there, but that she also delivers orders to the nursing home. “It really has a wide age range,” she said. 

Claussen opened Swan’s for Men after she noticed how few men’s clothing stores there were in Wayne. She decided to fill that niche and opened the store right next to the original one in October of 2017. 

The stores celebrated Customer Appreciation Day the first weekend of November by having many sales and discounts in both stores. Claussen said their next sales will be for Black Friday and Small Business Appreciation Day. “But the details are top secret right now,” Claussen said. 

Claussen also said interested customers should check the stores’ Facebook page for more information on deals and items. 

Swan’s Apparel is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. It is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. 

Swan’s for Men is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. 

For more information you can contact both stores at (402) 375-1511.