By John Flood

joe hu/town crier Nellie Kumagai, owner of Stuart’s Apparel, has recently moved her clothing business from Palo Alto to downtown Los Altos.

Stuart’s Apparel, Nellie K. Inc., a women’s clothing store offering contemporary fashion, shoes and accessories, opened Sept. 8 on Main Street in downtown Los Altos.

The store was previously located in the Town and Country Village in Palo Alto for 14 years.

“We moved out of Town and Country because there was extensive remodeling going on,” said Nellie Kumagai, store owner. “We really didn’t fit in their new plans.”

When Kumagai decided to find a new location, she considered Menlo Park and downtown Palo Alto but chose downtown Los Altos instead.

“There is a good mix of people and a lot of traffic on Main Street,” Kumagai said. “I see more traffic here compared to Town and Country,” she said.

Town and Country is a destination shopping experience where people drive to, shop and then leave, Kumagai said. By comparison, “There are a lot people walking around in downtown Los Altos.”

With her 34 years working in women’s retail clothing, Kumagai is no stranger to the business. She has owned Stuart’s Apparel for three years and prior to that, she worked for the store for 11 years.

“This is a business that you either like or you don’t,” Kumagai said. “I love it. If you don’t, you don’t do well.”

The store caters to a range of ages, from young mothers to grandmothers. The 1,875-square-foot store stocks brands such as Jamie Sadock, FDJ and French Dressing, in price ranges from $50-$350.

The store also carries fashions for weddings. “The wedding dress store next door is a good fit for us,” Kumagai said.

“Our customers are our friends,” Kumagai said. “I have customers who have been with me for 35 years.”

Stuart’s Apparel, Nellie K. Inc. is located at 157 Main St. For more information, call 559-0163. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays.