Victor's Settled in Ridgewood After 25 Years

Two years ago, going out of business signs hung in the window of Victor’s. But the men’s clothing store never closed its East Ridgewood Avenue doors.

Instead, the news of its closing, and the outpouring of customers that followed, convinced owner Victor Idy to stay open, and the shop is now going on 25 years in business.

“As far as business is concerned it was phenomenal,” said Victor Idy, the owner. “My going out of business sale was great. But it was sincere.”

Idy, then a Glen Rock resident, had lost his family home in a fire a year before, and found himself weighing the decision of whether to remain in the neighborhood or make a move to Florida.

“The neighborhood was phenomenal to my family,” he remembered. “But we were at a crossroads in our lives. We decided to stay where we were. And we realized the business had potential when people came in.”

Victor’s, selling formal and casual men’s attire, shoes and accessories and specializing in suits, opened 25 years ago in Brooklyn, where he initially partnered with two of his brothers.

The store has moved with its owner, opening in Nyack after 13 years in Brooklyn and staying there eight years before coming to Ridgewood.

Having since moved to the village, Idy said, he now plans on being there for good.