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[[2 images of James P. McQuay]]

JAMES McQUAY
THE NATION'S ONLY BLACK FURRIER

The distance from Culver Street in the south end of Yonkers, NY, to the heart of the fur district, 30th Street and 7th Avenue in the borough of Manhattan, totals no more than 25 miles geographically. But for James P. McQuay, that journey has occurred over a period of forty years. As the only Black fur wholesaler in the country, McQuay traces his involvement with his business from the time he was fourteen years old, and an errand boy working after school for a furrier, and earning $4.00 per week. Since then, McQuay has accomplished much in an industry that is almost devoid of minority entrepreneurs.

"When I was young, I wanted to be an artist," states McQuay. "After I had served three years in the U.S. Army, I enrolled in art school. However, my former boss kept after me to get into the fur business."

"Those early years were tough ones. I was learning the business. But, those hardships were nothing compared to the subtle racism I've experienced trying to make the business grow and expand," muses McQuay. One example of just such a problem occurred when he was informed that "there was no insurance in my building, yet at the time it was 90 percent occupied by other furriers who would also require insurance." Another hurdle took place when he was trying to locate at 352 7th Avenue, his current address, and others wanted him over on 28th Street. "I had to call the agent and threaten to picket," he recalls, "in order to get into my building."

"The past is past," McQuay sums up simply, "and right now I'm in a position to be looking only one way...ahead to the future."

And that future appears to be a bright one. McQuay is now researching the prospects of opening fur salons in Washington, DC; Detroit, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois. "At present, I have customers taking the shuttle or train up from Washington, DC to buy furs from me," McQuay proudly states. Even in this roller coaster economy, there seems to be a growing market of young men and women with good jobs and disposable income who would willingly spend some of this income for the warmth and luxury of a fine fur coat. As a matter of fact, McQuay finds business to be better than ever. "Formerly," he recalls, "a husband or boyfriend would come in and purchase a stole, jacket or coat for the woman in his life. Now, it is the young women, usually in their twenties, who are coming in, selecting what they like and paying for it themselves."

And while McQuay still sees plenty of husbands and boyfriends, the trend has been for these men to desire to own a fur themselves. This appetite for furs has increased dramatically among the affluent male of the species. In his salon McQuay and his assistant of 8 years, Dreana Gibel, report that 30 percent of the business is now devoted to men's fur fashions, whereas twelve years ago, it was merely one or two percent of the total. In particular, the black male athlete, secure in his own self-worth and generous salary, appreciates owning and wearing some of the handsome furs made by McQuay.

Given he questionable state of the economy, the high interest rates, and other financial factors, why would McQuay decide to expand his business? The answer involves many parts. "It hasn't been a question of actual dollars for a number of years," he begins. "I am now in a position to move ahead. We have the mechanics and the expertise to broaden our base. I currently have a highly qualified and talented staff of fourteen people who respond well to challenge. It's time."

When asked what, if any, effect expansion would have on the outstanding quality that goes into each McQuay garment, the owner answered that "the quality control that customers expect will continue. We make certain, and will always make certain, that any fur stole, coat or jacket made at James P. McQuay's will evidence workmanship and beauty that will stand the test of time."

Such dedication to fine craftsmanship and quality does not come cheaply. Dreana Gibel states, "We provide original designs in high quality furs for our many customers. Our prices are not bargain basement. We are competitive, but not cheap, and our furs range from $3,000. to $10,000. depending upon the type of fur and the amount of work required. We are what every other long-term furrier on Seventh Avenue is...a class operation."

McQuay ads [[adds]], "Also, like other well established Seventh Avenue furriers, ours is a family business. I have relatives working with me who are presently well prepared to take over, if need be, at any time in the immediate future."

While walking through the show room and the assembly room, one is impressed by the hustle and bustle of the McQuay enterprise, by the incessant ringing of the telephone, and by the cheerful courtesy of all employees. It is a busy, happy place.

Surveying his firm, McQuay smiles and says, "This business is here, in part, because I believed in myself, and in the goals I had set. I've worked very hard to attain them. I've put in long hours, made difficult decisions, stood by my work and my word, and paid the price that the business world demands if one is to emerge a success." He continues, "It was never a bed of roses, but life and business seldom are." Remmbering [[Remembering]] that 14 year old ambitious errand boy of the past, McQuay states, "On Culver Street in Yonkers, New York, where I grew up, there were just about twelve houses and maybe 25 or so kids around my age. Whenever I touch base with those old neighbors, I've discovered that most of them have made it. We all developed a belief in ourselves and a hearty respect and appetite for plain hard work."

That attitude, coupled with the hard work, has brought James P. McQuay to his unique position as the nation's only "Black Furrier"...not only of Seventh Avenue, NY, but also, if his plans succeed, of Washington, DC;...Detroit, Michigan;...and Chicago, Illinois....

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