Lemire joins Ames, Ferguson heads Stuarts - Denis T. Lemire, Ames Stores, David S. Ferguson, Stuarts Department Stores

Discount Store News, Sept 5, 1994

ROCKY HILL, CONN. -- Denis T. Lemire has joined Ames Stores as executive vice president, merchandising, reporting directly to president and ceo Joseph Ettore. Lemire had worked directly under then-chairman and ceo Ettore for three years at Stuarts Department Stores, Franklin, Mass.

Stuarts, a 22-store chain that emerged from Chapter 11 in October 1992, has named David S. Ferguson president and coo, and elevated cfo Antone F. Moreira to executive vp from senior vp. Ferguson joined Stuarts in 1989 as senior vp, operations, after management stints at Upton's Dept. Stores and Richway, both in Atlanta.

Lemire told DSN he was pleased that the Stuarts board of directors, led by chairman S. Joseph Hoffman, had chosen Ferguson president, "and did so on a timely basis."

Relishing the challenge at 305-store Ames (emerged from Chapter 11 December '92), Lemire said, "Joe Ettore and I work very well together; we have the same focus on business and on people."

After 12 years focusing on turn and gross margin return-on-investment at off-price apparel chain Marshalls, Lemire held other management positions.

He was tapped in 1990 to lead Stuarts' charge forward in soft goods as senior vp, merchandising. Opportunistic buying was key. Lemire excited Stuarts' customers with "Hot Stuff" special purchases in apparel, H&BC and home furnishings.

The new head of Stuarts, Dave Ferguson, told DSN that, "Stuarts Too is our growth vehicle." The chain just opened its third location (Springfield, Mass.) of this new, all-soft-lines configuration; two more sites are under negotiation. In the main stores, nearly 50% of the product is apparel; along with domestic textiles the soft, total is now over 60%.

Ferguson was also named to the board of directors.

Ettore added that Ames' changes have extended into the middle management levels. "In soft lines, we're bringing on a new menswear dmm, Bob Smekal."

Also, Ames brought in a new ladies plus size sportswear buyer, Linda Magnello; she was with Hills. Bobby Patrick, formerly in housewares. is now dmm of home entertainment.