Barre, VT - This August, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel celebrates its 20th year in business. During a time when many businesses, particularly locallyowned retail businesses, are scaling back or closing down, it’s an impressive milestone, and one Lenny’s intends to mark with a month-long celebration.

“We want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to our customers,” said Mark McCarthy, Lenny’s Vice President. “We’ve been successful for the last 20 years because of our regular customers, whose loyalty really sustains family-owned businesses like ours. We appreciate everyone’s support over the years, and this month, we’ll be giving back to our customers and to the community.”

Mark’s father, Lenny McCarthy, founded Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel in August of 1990. Many Central Vermonters remember Lenny from his days managing the shoe department at Harry’s, and followed Lenny into downtown Barre when he opened his own shop at 54 North Main Street.

Today, Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel has four locations throughout northern and central Vermont, including an Outlet Store, which operates out of the original Barre storefront. Lenny’s sons, Mark and Todd, have assumed most of the day-to-day management of the stores. Although supposedly retired, Lenny himself is still very involved in the business, and customers can often find him running the cash register at the Outlet Store on the weekends.

“When you think back to 1990, and you remember what people were wearing at the time - Doc Martens, Reebok ‘Pump’ sneakers, Hypercolor Tshirts, fanny packs - then it hits you how long 20 years really is,” said Todd McCarthy. “We sold a lot of those items back in the day, and we’re still outfitting Vermonters in popular brands that fit our laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle.”

Throughout the month of August, Lenny’s customers can look for storewide discounts, raffles, and other significant promotions. The 20th anniversary celebration will feature storewide discount days -- on August 11, August 19 and August 28. Other individual items will be discounted throughout the month, and Lenny’s will also raffle off 20 $100 shopping sprees.