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Vol. LXIV, No. 37
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 37
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Wednesday, September 15, 2010
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 CUSTOM PRINTING: “This is an exciting new venture. We have a laser jet digital apparel printer, and we can print whatever design you want right away.“ Henry Landau, co-owner of Landau’s (left) is shown with his son Jake as they display a T-shirt with a design recently printed on their new machine. |
What is so intriguing about Landau’s is that you will always find something new and often something unexpected. This popular Nassau Street store can always be counted on for quality and selection, but in the past few years, it has added a focus on very competitive prices and a big variety of new items.
Long known as the place to go for wool, it still has a wide selection of sweaters, throws, scarves, and other wool items for men, women, and children, but now customers will find a great variety of hats (very big sellers this summer), cotton shirts, socks, and slippers. And don’t forget Landau’s unique Albert Einstein mini-museum.
In addition, the family-owned and operated store now offers an exciting new laser jet digital apparel printer, which will instantly print any design on a cotton T-or sweat shirt, long sleeves or short sleeves.
“We’ve had the machine since mid-May, and it has been a big hit,” says co-owner Henry Landau. “I had been to a trade show and saw this laser jet digital printer, with water-based ink, and a closed system. It works on cotton or cotton blends, such as T- and sweat shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, etc. It has no set up charges, and is made in the U.S., and the technical support is second to none.”
Popular Designs
“Customers bring in their photo or design on a zip drive or J-Peg, and then we’ll print it for them in minutes. We can do 20 different sports — any kind. We can instantly create exactly what you’re asking for. It’s so quick. We recently did 50 shirts for Princeton University.”
Animals, rock groups, sports, school, team, and business logos have all been popular designs, but the machine has also replicated a book cover, the Titanic, and the Pink Panther.
“This is great for family gatherings, birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.,” points out Mr. Landau. “And it’s really catching on. We did a shirt for a family party, and it was the dad’s 70th birthday. They wanted a shirt with the dad’s picture on the front, and then on the back, we did one shirt with ‘Happy’, one with ‘Birth’, one with ‘Day’, another with ‘To’, and then ‘You’. The family all wore them to surprise the dad“
Mr. Landau’s son Jake has been involved with the machine’s technology, and is quickly becoming an expert in its operation. “We’re really having fun with it,” says his father. “And customers are intrigued because it’s so quick and it does such a great job. The customer service aspect of it is wonderful.”
All Sizes
Mr. Landau is pleased with the wide selection of shirts — all sizes, colors, and styles — he is able to offer customers. “What I love about this from a supply standpoint is that there is a national T-shirt and apparel supply company, with warehouses nationally. One is in Cranbury. So we can order from the Cranbury warehouse and pick up what we need in two hours. Or they can send it the next day. If they have to get it from another warehouse, they ship it in two days. We never have to be out of anything.
“This cuts the inventory I need to have on the shelves because we can get what we need so quickly from the warehouse.”
Landau’s not only offers all the shirts customers want, but in one case they have provided a unique design as well, reports Mr. Landau.
“My brother (and co-owner) Robert came up with a T-shirt design, and people have gone haywire over it. It says ‘What part of E=MC2 don’t you understand?’ The T-shirts with this design have just been flying out of here.”
“Best Thing”
The introduction of the printing machine also perfectly fits Robert Landau’s philosophy of “finding the next ‘best thing’.” This has been the Landau concept since the current owners’ grandfather, Henry Landau, opened the business in Jersey City in 1914. In 1955, then owners David and Evelyn Landau, moved the store to Princeton, first on Witherspoon Street, and then to the current location at 102 Nasau Street in 1963.
“It has always been about customer service — service, service, service,” says Henry Landau. “We have always offered quality at a good price. The concept is always: ‘what’s a good value?’ And Robert and I are here. We listen to what the customers say. We’re not absentee owners. I have been here full-time for 37 years, and Robert 38 years.
“We have also always had a quality staff. Many have been with us a long time, and our staff is intelligent and knowledgeable. We all enjoy the customers and spending time with them. I think they know that we have a good time here.”
In addition to the custom design the new apparel print machine offers, the store has a large selection of Princeton University logo shirts, also tiger designs for children, as well as non-University Princeton, N. J. shirts.
Landau’s has a wide price range with many discounted prices. Custom design printed T-shirts are $20 for one, with lower costs for more volume: seven to 12 shirts each, $14.50; 50 shirts, $9.50 each.
“Just remember,” says Mr. Landau. “We have what you need!”
Landau’s offers gift certificates, and is open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday 11:30 to 4:30. (609) 924-3494. Website: LandauPrinceton.com.