Meet Jan Weiss of BERTA SAWYER RENOWN
by Linda Herman

This month I visited with Jan Weiss, the effervescent owner of one of Philadelphia's premier dress stores, Berta Sawyer. Located on Old York Road in the heart of Jenkintown, this sophisticated salon is known for outfitting the area's best dressed women. Jan's casual, warm demeanor offered a disarming compliment to the Berta Sawyer reputation of sophistication and high style. It was a delightful discovery!

Jan didn't always expect a career in women's fashion retail. In fact, it all started by accident when helping her mother, Lorna Cohen. She described her journey saying, "Actually my mother was a customer of the original Berta Sawyer when it was located on Castor Avenue. It was a small store then, packed with great clothes. One day, in 1972, the owner, Berta Sawyer, asked my mom if she'd like to buy the business. Truthfully, this was not something my mother was even contemplating, but the prospect of retail in high end formal wear and special occasion wear was appealing. She had a special flair for fashion, she still does. So, when given the opportunity, she decided to go forward and bought Berta Sawyer. Eventually, especially after my father passed away, what was originally a bit of a lark became very serious business. The business thrived and it's been in our hands ever since. It's a long time."

Jan's story continues that after she delivered her daughter, Shira, she spent her maternity leave from teaching working in the store. She loved the work at Berta Sawyer immediately. Even more, I believe, she loved being able to have her daughter with her. And better yet, she loved knowing when Shira left the store on Castor Avenue, she was being strolled in her carriage up and down the avenue by Jan's grandparents, Shira's great grandparents. As Jan describes it, those were wonderful times when four generations of Cohen women lived close, worked close and grew together, even closer. It was a great time for her family.
Eventually, Jan had her son Ari and she continued her extended maternity leave working at Berta Sawyer. She never did return to teaching in the public schools. She was smitten by the clothing business... permanently. We talked about that connection between her formal training in education and the work she does today. "It's definitely helped in working with my co-workers. I call upon my communication skills constantly and I tap my "teacher" abilities to train and organize all the time.

We also talked about her particular "flair" for fashion. She smiled as she told me how one of her high school teachers at Girls High asked why she didn't ever wear the same thing twice. "It's funny, I never had a ton of clothes as a teenager, but what
I did have were pieces that could be intermingled. Even then I had the ability to mix and match so it gave the impression that my wardrobe was endless. That might have been the first hint of what was to come!"

So, what about Berta Sawyer, a Philadelphia landmark for special occasion dressing? "It's true our reputation has been built on dressing for THE special occasion. We still do that... mothers, daughters, grandmothers alike can find what they want and need at Berta Sawyer. But we're much more than that. We are a clothing salon that is all encompassing.

We carry a wide range of casual wear, sportswear and accessories, and we can dress young women starting in their teen years. We specialize in fitting a "real" female body. That is our forte."

As we talked about the store, we talked how it has grown to accommodate trends and changes in acceptable attire. "Today's mood is more relaxed than when my mother started in Berta Sawyer. Even so, there still are times one needs to be less "relaxed" and more dressed. I think perhaps the younger generation is a little too relaxed. There's nothing more important than that first impression and that's where my staff and I can help."

And what does Jan recommend for that starter wardrobe? "That's easy. I recommend a pair of great fitting black pants, a black skirt, a belt and one layering piece – in color. If you prefer a black dress to the skirt, that's fine. You can layer just as well with either. You'll also need a jacket to coordinate with these pieces. Tweed would be perfect. Build upon these separates and you can't go wrong. We can help you put this together and do it within your budget." Expert fitting and specialized attention is what Jan Weiss and her Berta Sawyer compatriots are about. Regardless the occasion or lack thereof, Jan and her crew can fill the bill.

I wanted to get the scoop on what to expect in fall and winter fashions. "Lots of separate jackets. You won't need another pantsuit. Buy a new jacket to go with an existing pair of pants (or skirt). Lots of jackets in lots of different fabrics and in many different shapes for many different body types. Tweeds and colors like purple, plum, pink and turquoise will be on your back if you are among the fashion current."

Jan loves what she does. Really. But when she's not working, finishing the details for someone’s growing wardrobe, where does life take her? Well, first off she's a relatively brand new grandmother. Her daughter Shira and son-in-law Danny Weiss just welcomed a daughter, Eliana. She's Jan's first grandchild and Jan does not let her forget it! She travels to Maryland to bond with the newest generation as often as possible.

She's also an avid reader. This month's recommendation is The Invisible Wall. A staunch Eagles Fan she would not even name her favorite player. She likes them all! A real pool person, I could tell she's been soaking up the rays as if to prepare herself for the fall onslaught of fashion frenzy.

Above all, Jan Weiss is a committed family person. She puts people first both in her personal life and professionally. That was evident while we were talking. Besides her children and grandchild, she includes her mother, Lorna and partner, Rick, as those most significant in her life. And I guess it was that warm, caring personality... with a tinge of a twinkle in the eye... that was so captivating. It was not necessarily what I expected behind the Berta Sawyer marquee. But as in all independently owned businesses, Berta Sawyer is a reflection of the person behind it... very real, very warm and caring.

I really enjoyed meeting Jan Weiss. Funny thing is we had a lot in common... stuff from our "other" lives. It's "stuff" that I rarely discuss but somehow talked about it with her almost immediately – AND I actually enjoyed sharing it. You can ask her for the details!

Thanks for the time Jan... and thanks for the beautiful picture of four generations of Berta Sawyer women. As they say in the Old Book, may you all go from strength to strength....