Some stores sell product. M. Dumas & Sons sells want—crafted through people, place, and a century of smart reinvention. We sit with co‑owner Gary Flynn to explore how a 1917 military uniform shop became Charleston’s menswear destination, why customers still cross town for an in‑store experience, and what it takes to keep a legacy brand modern without losing its soul.

Gary traces his path from Nordstrom’s merchandising ranks to Hugo Boss and Samsung before landing in Charleston, where he learned the art of specialty retail: knowing the regulars, serving visitors so well they become remote clients, and designing a store that tells stories instead of stacking tables high. We dig into the M. Dumas timeline—from early Levi’s dominance to spotting Tommy Bahama before it broke big—and the moves that kept momentum: a major renovation, premium tailoring, and, just in time for COVID, an e‑commerce launch that paired with doorstep delivery and constant outreach.

Charleston’s style scene gets a closer look. Surprise: it’s dressier than many expect. Gary breaks down a go‑to uniform for today—sport coat, open‑collar shirt, five‑pocket pants, and a sharp sneaker—and explains why color thrives here year‑round. We talk Mount Pleasant Towne Centre and the strategy behind shop‑in‑shops from Barbour, Johnnie‑O, Duck Head, and Faherty to make outfitting intuitive. Then we go inside the service playbook: stylists who build wardrobes, label outfits for a colorblind client, host trunk shows, and even stage an annual Italian dinner pairing regions, wines, and makers.

Along the way, Gary shares why he pays people well, collaborates with neighboring independents on King Street, experiments with influencers, and takes Dumas on the road with pop‑ups in DC, Florida, and Dallas. If you care about retail strategy, community, or simply looking great without overthinking it, this conversation delivers practical insight and plenty of Charleston flavor.

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Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions

Expo Podcast Sponsor: ‪@PollenSocial‬

Production Sponsor: RMBO.co

Design Sponsor: DK Design

Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.

Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Immediate Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Chair | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs
Ben Nesvold | Co-host | In-coming President | Edward Jones