Schacther Helped to Pioneer the World of Luxury Men’s Retail
Edward Schachter, the longstanding owner of the renowned Richards menswear shop in Greenwich, Connecticut, passed away on January 10, 2022, at the age of 101. Schachter was a German-born Jew who escaped the Nazi persecution during World War II, immigrating to the United States on December 31, 1938, with his parents and older sister, Hilda.
The family initially settled in Washington Heights, New York, amongst a community of other Jewish refugees. After high school, Schachter served as a military police officer and translator for the U.S. Army, during which time he also became a U.S. citizen. In 1949, he married Lucy Nadal and they established their home in Stamford, Connecticut, where they lived for 70 years.
Schachter’s venture into retail started with him selling Army and Navy surplus goods in White Plains, New York. In 1956, he purchased Richards, a small men’s haberdashery in Greenwich, from Richard Schlesinger. Over time, he transformed the shop into a luxury menswear haven that rapidly became a staple in the upscale community. The store specialized in men’s tailored clothing, and Schachter took pride in showcasing the extensive collection of suits in the back of the store. Besides his exceptional merchandising skills, he was recognized for treating every patron and staff member like family.
Upon the entry of his daughter, Susan Fleisher, into the business, Richards expanded into premium European brands like Hermès, Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna, Brioni among others. It is worth noting that Richards was the first independent retailer in the nation to stock Hermès in the 1990s.
In 1995, Richards caught the attention of the Mitchell family from nearby Westport, Connecticut, who subsequently acquired the store. At the time of purchase, the store was a men’s-only store positioned in an 8,000 square-foot space on Greenwich Avenue. However, in 2000, it was relocated and extensively expanded to 27,000 square feet at its current location at 359 Greenwich Ave. This move also marked the introduction of womenswear at Richards.
Bob Mitchell, Co-CEO of Mitchells, fondly remembered Schachter:
Eddie was the ultimate partner: fair, supportive and a true mentor. He was a floor merchant whose instincts were always right. His legacy will always be a huge part of Richards and our entire family business.”
Apart from his successful retail career, Schachter maintained a passion for tennis, golf, card games, and cars, according to his family. He actively participated in philanthropic activities and was involved in organizations that contributed to his success in his new homeland, including the UJA, TID Breakthrough (Formerly known as JDRF), Hadassah, and HIAS. He also served as a board member of the Putnam Trust Bank and received the Rotary Man of the Year distinction.
After retirement in 2015, the Schachters moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Lucy Schachter sadly passed away in 2019. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Fleisher, her husband, Laurent Martinez, granddaughter Samantha, and her fiancé, Eric Silver. The Schachter family offered their gratitude to Jutta Baxter “for her years of loving care” towards Schachter and his wife in an obituary.
The family obituary read:
Eddie’s life exemplified his motto: ‘Work hard, play hard.’ He will be remembered as a kind, loving man with an uncanny ability to make others feel special. The world is a brighter place for having had Eddie in it, and his legacy of love and generosity will endure.”