In today's world of oversized, impersonal shopping malls, Charles Department Store is distinguished by a long tradition of personal service and good value. In fact, Westchester County's only family-owned specialty department store is celebrating 85 years of being one of those great American "Main Street" stores where "everybody knows your name."

With Victorian-style clapboard walls, original tin ceilings and creaky wooden floors, Charles takes shoppers back to a time when retailers cared about community and built their business one satisfied customer at a time. Present owners David and Jim Raneri of Katonah point with pride to photos of their grandparents, Charles and Isabelle Raneri, who founded the original Charles Dry Goods store in 1924.

Charles Raneri emigrated to the United States from Sicily when he was 14 years old. Settling in Mt. Kisco, he worked as a peddler along the railroad. It wasn't long before Raneri opened his own store in Mt. Kisco, moving later to a larger premises in Bedford Hills. In 1939, he moved his establishment again, this time to its present prime location on Katonah Avenue, directly across from the old train depot.

In the 1940s, Charles Raneri's son, Phillip, joined the family business, bringing his background in radio engineering and electronics to the growing store. In 1950, Phillip married Claire Schroeder and a family of five followed -- four boys and one girl. While the entire Raneri family worked in the store from time to time, David and Jim chose to follow in their father's and grandfather's footsteps and run the family business. Today, David and Jim Raneri co-own the store, and have stayed true to their grandfather's vision of incomparable personal service, combined with top quality products.

In the good old days, the success of Charles Department Store arose out of the shop's ability to supply the folks of the quiet rural area surrounding Mt. Kisco, Bedford Hills and Katonah with all their needs, from pot-bellied stoves to Sunday bonnets.

Charles continues to offer the best quality merchandise available, changing with the times to offer the high-quality products that people want. Dave and Jim Raneri carefully select all items, providing their customers with the best possible choices, answers to questions and service with a genuine smile.

Grandfather Raneri might be surprised by some of the modern-day products for sale in his store, but he would have no trouble recognizing his families' unwavering commitment to customer service and value. Some things never change, even after 85 years.