Gail West
by Robyn McCloskey
Gail West Leather Goods, a high-end boutique located in Peddler’s Village may sound like just another corporate title, which in turn always makes for a pleasant surprise when customers find out that there really is an actual
Gail West. And if you are fortunate enough, she may even be in the store when you are there. You can’t help but notice her, as she is trailed everywhere she goes, whether at home or at work, by her constant companion—an undersized pug named Tiffany. Gail is an imposing yet warm and attractive woman who has been known to say that “Retail really isn’t my thing, if I had my way I would just give stuff away. For me it’s about the people.” Not the best business model to say the least, but somehow, despite that fact, she has successfully managed to turn her love for people as well as quality goods into a thriving business. Not that it has come easily.
Gail was only 13 and living with her parents in Jenkintown when her mother, a woman whom Gail adored and wished to someday emulate due to her myriad of interests and accomplishments, suffered a grand mal seizure. Her mom, a once vibrant, musically gifted and multi-lingual speaking woman was instantly rendered speechless as well as helpless. Gail’s father was a successful businessman traveling nine months out of every year as the national sales manager for Caloric Ranges.
To finish reading about Gail West, turn to page 40 of the Fall issue of Bucks County Magazine.