Florida Agenda

WILTON MANORS – Guests and local celebrities attended the Grand opening on Friday, April 20, of MIX Designer Men’s Clothing in The Shoppes of Wilton Manors.

The store, next to the Alibi on Wilton Drive, is the brainchild of owners Barry Scheiner and Merv Brody. The business partners have opened a store with brands including Gucci, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and Cavalli.

“We’re looking to attract gentlemen who are seeking designer clothing at affordable prices,” says Scheiner.

“What is different about Mix is that the clothing will be in sizes to fit everyone—not just those with a 28 inch waist—which has long been an issue with haute couture.”

Brody and Scheiner bring to the Drive a lifetime of knowledge and experience in the fashion industry.

Brody was an icon of Italian sportswear on Las Olas Blvd. for nearly 30 years.

He pairs this with Scheiner’s sense of style and awareness of the buying audience from Palm Beach to South Beach. Customers can expect the latest fashions to be just that: the latest and current crop that can be seen on the fashion runways of Milan and Naples.

“Discounted clothing is often from the prior year’s line,” notes Scheiner. “I personally spent a few weeks in Italy selecting our inventory and it is from the current season.”

Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, says that Mix is the perfect fit for the Island City at the perfect time. “Upscale menswear is an under-serviced market on the Drive,” he offered. “Barry and Merv have done their research and they know their market.”

By DALE MADISON

Gary Yamnitz knows his way around a credit union. The Wilton Manors branch manager at City County Credit Union (CCCU) began his career in financial services in 1984 with Sun Coast Schools Credit Union in Tampa.

Fast forward 28 years and Yamnitz is bringing his vast depth and breadth of credit union experience to one of Broward County’s newest, the City County Credit Union branch which is set to celebrate three years in The Shoppes of Wilton Manors.

“We are now getting about 40 new members per month in our branch,” reports Yamnitz, “in part due to the ‘Occupy’ movement.” That’s up from an average of 20 new members per month before national outrage was focused upon Wall Street. Yamnitz explains: “With people dumping their big banks, and the corporate greed of the system, people are fed up with fees.”

Part of the success of CCCU is Yamnitz’s empowerment of his staff to help members’ needs. “Contrary to the policies at big banks, I allow staff the flexibility to waive a fee that’s been charged to a member. They don’t have to wait for me to approve or to get clearance from the home office. It’s their discretion. I want our members to feel like they are part of the family, which quite frankly they are,” he adds with a smile.

Yamnitz is often asked to explain the differences between banks and credit unions. “We are member owned,” he says of the latter.

“When you bank here, you are a part owner. Several years ago when the economy was at its height, CCCU gave back over 1 million dollars to its members in dividends.” He illustrates the numbers and their benefit to members. “Let’s say, for example, you had $500 on deposit: on average, you got a dividend of $20.00. Personally, I got about $1,500. And it always comes in handy,” he added.

Of its community involvement, Yamnitz points to Father Bill of the Poverello Center, who, in December 2010 needed transportation to continue his ministry for people living with HIV/AIDS. A.J. Cross and others held a benefit to raise enough money to purchase a car. It raised nearly $9,000, but it was not enough to purchase the vehicle for Father Bill.

Enter CCCU and its affiliate, Auto Branch. Between the two companies working with other vendors, a little gentle “arm twisting,” and the $9,000, Father Bill was given a nearly-new Toyota, a year of paid auto insurance, and a bumper-tobumper warranty.

“We are very involved in the community,” Yamnitz notes proudly.

“If you open a new checking or savings account, City-County will pay for your first year Pride Center membership in the amount of $40.00, and will make a matching donation in your name to the Pride Center Building Fund. We also support four of the Pride Center’s teams: Youth, Hispanic, Senior, and, of course, Gay. Our motto is ‘People Helping People.’ It’s a motto that we truly believe in and live by,” Yamnitz told me.