Photo by Jim Muchlinski Glik’s assistant manager Ashley Amundson is busy welcoming customers at the new Marshall’s Glik’s location. The clothing store moved this summer from the Market Street Mall to the commercial retail center near the Highway 23 bypass.

Special to the Independent

MARSHALL — The Glik’s clothing store in Marshall is reaching new heights in a new location.

Glik’s recently moved from the Market Street Mall to the retail center formerly occupied by K-Mart. It now features an Ashley HomeStore, a Hobby Lobby and a La-Z-Boy furniture studio.

The new location offers added square footage. It also provides strong visibility along the Minnesota Highway 23 bypass.

“Marshall is a great location for us,” said Glik’s Chief Executive Officer Jeff Glik. “It’s a progressive town with wonderful people. We decided to relocate and expand.”

Glik said his decision to locate in Marshall 20 years ago happened after he heard from local residents at the Bagels and Brew coffee shop on East College Drive during his first visit to the community.

He was “not impressed” by the Market Street Mall when he visited it after he arrived on an evening that featured very little business activity. He changed his mind after hearing from local residents, and then going back to the mall where he received a very favorable recommendation from the manager at the Maurices clothing store.

“If I hadn’t gone out for coffee that morning, we never would have located in Marshall,” Glik said. “I could tell that people were proud of their town. They talked about Schwan’s and the college, and said they really needed more retail. That’s exactly the kind of town I want for a business location.”

Marshall is one of 65 Glik’s stores located in 11 different states, according to the company website. It began in 1897 as a men’s clothing store, and later became a department store. It now features a wide range of popular women’s clothing, men’s clothes and shoes.

Glik’s is the 14th oldest retail business in the Unitd States. It has been family owned for its entire history. Glik, as the current CEO, is part of its fifth generation.

In addition to its 65 stores, Glik’s has an extensive Internet presence and a rapidly expanding online sales component. Because of overall sales growth, it opened a new 50,000 square foot headquarters in Collinsville, Ill. during 2021.

Glik said he expects Marshall to have a continued long term role in the company’s plans for future sales growth and brand expansions.

“We’ve planned our expansion with the goal of having stronger roots in the community,” he said. “We’re excited about the new Marshall site and our overall opportunities.”

Staff at the new Marshall location report a strong amout of customer traffic since the location change, along with increases in total sales. They noted that the expansion in Marshall coincides with the opening of a new Glik’s store in Mankato.

“It’s an exciting time for us,” said assistant manager Ashley Amundson. “We’re busy. People have really taken an interest in our new location and our larger store.”