BERNICE HASDEN | One On One Uniform business has seen its share of alterations

Why did you and your husband decide to go into the uniform business back in 1960?
Well, my family had a linen supply business, my husband worked for my father, and we started noticing that people weren't renting uniforms anymore. Where were they going? We found out that suppliers were starting to make uniforms, and my husband decided to open a store. We opened up in Boardman Street in downtown, and three years later we opened another store in Canton.
Why did you move the business out of downtown?
We didn't want to move, but there were a lot of changes downtown. They put the plaza in and blocked off the traffic and the parking. And then there was a fire when we were in our second store on Commerce Street. We got it full force with the water and fire damage, too. So then we moved to Federal Street because we didn't want to leave downtown.
About 16 years ago, the company that owns this plaza came to us and offered us a deal. We needed parking. We were just closed off. We paid for parking at Higbee's, but they were going to move out. We thought, why wait? So we moved out to Liberty.
What do you think, as a former downtown merchant, would help bring back Youngstown's downtown?
I really think that they should have a casino down there. I'm for it. I just think that you've got to try.
I'll bet you've seen a lot of changes in the uniform business since the 1960s?
Oh, there used to be a lot of white. Nurses used to wear hats. Once they did away with the hat, there was a big change. First they had dresses, and then they went to pantsuits. I remember, the head nurse at the Southside unit came to me and asked for help making the rules for nurses' pantsuits.
So we went from dresses to pantsuits, then the colors took over the white. And now, it's scrubs. That's it. That's what they wear.
We still sell a few hats, to nursing homes mainly. The older people don't understand it's a nurse unless she's wearing a cap.
How about business in general -- has it changed a lot since those early days?
Well, we didn't have a lot of competition at first because it was a new industry. I think the biggest change now is that people are very programmed to discounts. And you have to advertise. We have sales to bring them in. We used to have two sales a year; now we have four.
What do enjoy most about being a business owner?
The personal touch. Giving them that personal touch.
Have you ever considered selling professional uniforms over the Internet?
Yes, my son-in-law Gary Wagner has been thinking about it. He's the manager of the store.
Have you thought of retiring at all?
No. As long as my health's good, it keeps me busy. I was very big in organization work in my early married life, and when my husband started this business I was just ready to get into something else for us, where we could work together. None of my friends really worked. But I never minded. I've always enjoyed it. I enjoy being a busy person.
What do you do for fun?
I have a group of friends that I go out with. We see a lot of shows. I play golf. I still maintain my home. And I travel.
What kind of shows do you like?
There's a lot of things going on in our own city. I like to participate. We have opera now. I'm a member of Butler. I get all their publications. And I have different friends who have different interests, and I enjoy being with them.
You said you like to travel. What would be your dream vacation?
Well, I'd like to go to Europe some day, but I'm going to Hawaii in the fall.
Is there anyone, living or deceased, who you consider a hero?
Jackie Onassis. Every time there's some kind of article on her, I'm reading it. I just thought that she really did it all.
Do you watch television?
I'm not a big sitcom watcher, but you know what I like? Anything with history in it, and travel.
Are you a reader?
Sometimes. I just started a book by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, "Why Good People Do Bad Things." It's good.