About Us
Back in the 70s. Rev. Aiken R. Ruth was employed at a local plant that made doors in Varnville, SC where he lived. His wife Gladys Ruth was a housewife. She took in laundry and ironing for extra income. Their family consisted of six girls, five boys and one granddaughter. Some of the older children had already left home.
One of the five boys, Eddie L. Ruth, was living in York, Pennsylvania. Eddie opened a men's clothing store called Eddie's Men's Shop, he carried all the mod styles that was popular for that error, bell bottom pants, platform shoes, super fly suits maxi coats and other fashions as well.
When Eddie would visit home wearing those styles, his friends became more and more interested in them and how they could purchase them. The inquiries kept coming in so, Eddie and his father talked and Eddie decided to send a few items back to SC to see how they would sell.
Mrs Ruth had a job and didn't have to leave home. The clothing was displayed in what we called the "back room" of our house. It was the boys room. Our very first store, legal of course, we got a town license.
Well after a couple of months it too much traffic coming through the house. Rev Ruth decided to build a 16x20 block building at the corner of Connelly street where we live and the Main Street Hwy 63.
So Rev Ruth's son put him in touch with the vendors he was dealing with to order what he needed for his business. Rev Ruth named his business Ruth's Mod Shop. God kept sending the customers. Although we were on a main hwy, our location wasn't near a lot of people. We had some down times.
Rev Ruth decided he would go Hampton, SC, the main town in our area two miles up the road to look for a building to rent. The traffic was much better. There was a building available for rent and my dad secured it.
In 1975 We moved Ruth's Mod Shop to downtown main st Hampton, SC, and was the first black owned business there. After out growing that building, we moved about 3 doors up the street where a larger building was available. And here we are today 209 Lee Ave Hampton SC, 29924.
By the time we moved the clothing styles had changed, so we updated the name to one that would stand the test of time, to Ruth's Wardrobe. Rev Ruth retired from the business and his son Eddie L. Ruth took over with the help of his sister Hettie M. Dobson and other family members over the years.
Hettie M. Dobson and her husband R. C. Dobson, Jr. are the current owners with her daughter Alexis S Dobson as store manager.
We’ve Seen em Come, And we’ve Seen em Go, But God saw fit for us to still be here! He gets all the glory. He has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11.
If your clothes aren't becoming to you, then you should be coming too Ruth's Wardrobe II.
