Even with the great weather this weekend, fall temperatures may not be low enough to satisfy Southwest Louisiana residents; however, prices at S&M Family Outlet are.

Here’s an example. The price of a Norm Thompson brand men’s shirt can run over $80. That same style of shirt – plaid, in-season and in perfect condition — was priced $15.99 at S&M Family Outlet when the American Press visited last week. The yellow sign above the shirt advertised another 20 percent off at the register.

On Tuesdays, seniors 55 and older receive an additional 20 percent off already discounted clothing. With the senior discount, the price of the Norm Thompson shirt, before tax, would be $10.23.

Deep discounts for all, and an extra 20 percent off on Tuesdays for seniors 55 and older, is available on all store items: shoes, accessories, home décor, furniture, housewares, gifts and seasonal merchandise from major department stores, TV shopping networks, online sellers and boutiques. 

While many department stores wait until after the season to mark down items, S&M Family Outlet has already placed fall merchandise on clearance racks.

Men’s clothing brands include Van Heusen, Calvin Klein and Levis. S&M also carries discounted Florsheim and Cole Haan shoes for men. 

Women’s shoes continue to be one of S&M Family Outlet’s most popular purchases. The discounted prices allow women to wear well-known quality brands at discount pricing from traditional styles offered by Trotters and Easy Spirit, to more edgy styles from Restricted. Women’s boutique brands trending now at S&M include Jones New York, Anne Klein and many others. 

Home decorators will appreciate heavy discounting of seasonal decorations, Tiffany-, modern- and traditional-style lamps, brand name linens and furniture and large area rugs in neutral colors. Home cooks can get Cuisinart, Keurig and Corning Ware at heavily discounted prices at S&M.

“Our merchandise is priced to move fast,” Store Manager Jan Youngblood said. “We put out new items every day. Only one thing does stay the same, the low prices.”

Children’s clothing prices, including pricing on Carter’s brand Halloween onesies and “twosies” are a special treat. Other holiday decorations and gifts, including Christmas items, are available now at S&M Family Outlet. 

The increasing popularity of Internet shopping actually benefits this long-time local family business and its customers. 

“When online purchases or gifts are returned, because the item isn’t the color expected or because the gift is a duplicate, Internet companies are forced to dispose of the merchandise,” S&M storeowner Steve Stoma explained. “The steps required to get it back in the system make it difficult to handle in a timely fashion. That’s why I’m able to buy brand name merchandise at huge discounts, and pass the savings to customers.”

Finding the merchandise customers want and pricing it to sell was a Stoma family tradition long before the Internet. S&M Family Outlet is one of the few remaining local family-owned and operated clothing stores still in business today.

Over 60 years ago, Joe Stoma, Steve’s father, started the business. Born in 1925, one of ten siblings, a child of the depression and a veteran of WWII, Joe understands the value of hard work and the necessity to stretch the dollar.

When Steve graduated from McNeese, expecting to work at the Lake Charles store, his father pushed him to open his own store. Now he’s in charge of locating the best deals from across the U.S. and purchasing shipments for S&M Family Outlet stores in Lake Charles, Beaumont and Port Arthur.

Shown above are Steve Stoma and his father Joe. Joe started S&M Family Outlet over 60 years ago. 

Rita LeBleu