From outfitting farmers for their daughters' strawberry festival coronations to helping a cancer patient rebuild his confidence, The Natty Dresser is proving that a men's clothing store can be more than just a retailer – it can be a catalyst for personal transformation in a community.

Host Terresa Zimmerman talks with Oscar Hult, who turned market research into retail success by opening The Natty Dresser in Albany, Oregon. With no prior retail experience but armed with census data and a background in historic preservation, Oscar grew his men's store from a 1,500 square foot startup to a renovated historic building more than double the size. His secret? Deep community engagement and a mission to transform lives through their motto: "dress well, be confident, find success."

In this episode:
-How Oscar used market research and his Main Street experience to identify the need for a men's store
-The journey from a 1,500 sq ft startup and learning the trade to purchasing and renovating a historic building
-Creating community connections through events like the Albany Tweed Ride and First Friday celebrations
-The challenges and opportunities of running a formal menswear store in casual-leaning Oregon
-Building a strong team through shared values and a focus on hospitality
-The impact of dressing well on confidence and life transformations
-Navigating buying without prior industry experience
-The importance of historical preservation in maintaining vibrant downtowns
-How faith and service guide the store's mission and operations

Featured Store:

Oscar Hult, Owner

The Natty Dresser LLC

124 Broadalbin St. SW

Albany, Oregon 97321

541-248-3561

Website https://thenattydresser.com/about-us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_nattydresser/

Other mentions:

Tweed Ride, May 10, 2025 - https://thenattydresser.com/mens-clothing-albany-or-tweed-ride/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscar-hult-b25b531b/

Albany Downtown Association - https://albanydowntown.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/albany-downtown-association/

National Main Street Project - https://mainstreet.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-america/

https://www.instagram.com/natlmainstreet/

Custom Tailors & Designers Association - https://www.ctda.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ctdausa/

Connect with Us:

Main Street Matters Podcast:

Website: www.mainstreetmatters.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetmatters1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-matters

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MainStreetMatters_MSM

Host - Terresa Zimmerman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terresachristensonzimmerman

Timestamps:

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Main Street Matters
00:00:38 - Meet Oscar Holt: The Natty Dresser
00:01:06 - The Need for a Men's Clothing Store
00:02:24 - Growth and Expansion of The Natty Dresser
00:04:52 - Community Engagement and Historic Preservation
00:06:37 - Building Relationships and Customer Base
00:08:30 - Word of Mouth Marketing
00:09:11 - Community Involvement and Events
00:11:00 - The Albany Tweed Ride
00:12:26 - Albany's Historic Significance
00:13:10 - Initial Offerings and Product Evolution
00:16:31 - Creating a Confident Customer Experience
00:17:05 - Online Presence and Tailoring Services
00:18:21 - Engaging the Younger Generation
00:20:39 - Team Dynamics and Store Revamps
00:22:00 - Community Events and Holiday Activities
00:23:27 - Navigating Buying and Trade Shows
00:29:09 - The Unique Nature of Menswear Trade Shows
00:30:29 - Hiring and Retaining Staff
00:32:12 - Challenges Faced in Oregon
00:37:00 - Transformative Customer Experiences
00:40:14 - Addressing Challenges and Future Planning
00:46:11 - The Importance of Made in America