Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia
What’s one thing your customers don’t know you do behind the scenes?
I think one thing my customers may not know that I do behind the scenes is curate and design our Katonah merchandise—hats, bags, mugs, t-shirts. I would love to do more of this type of work but it’s hard to find the time with all the other hats I wear. A long term goal I have is to design a women’s clothing line for the store!
What’s something you do that seems small but makes a huge difference?
Greeting people with a smile. 🙂
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?
At various points in my career path I have pondered this question, and I have never had an answer! Maybe someday I will!
What’s the best advice you ever received?
I have received a lot of great advice over the years, but when asked to recall it I am actually struggling to remember. The best advice I have received recently has been “Touch it once.” I can be a procrastinator so this advice helps me accomplish things on my to-do list faster and immediately rather than hemming and hawing for days or weeks.
When did you open (month & year)?
October 1924.
Describe your business in three words.
Classic. Quality. Family.
What’s something your business does differently than anyone else?
We special order items for customers! I do several orders a week for customers who want something that I’m sold out of or want a color or size that I don’t stock. It’s such an honor that people want to buy from us and that they are willing to wait for an item to come in.
What’s one thing people often say when they first walk in?
That they love the creaky floors!
What is your most popular service or item?
One of our most popular services is kitchen knife sharpening and one of our most popular items are sodastream cartridge exchanges.
What is something you wish more people knew about you and/or your business?
I wish more people knew how much fun we have! I often find the team laughing, smiling, joking all while working the day away and sharing this joy with our customers. It’s amazing.
Address: 113 Katonah Ave, Katonah, NY 10536
Phone number: (914) 232-5200
Website: charlesdeptstore.com
This article was published in the January/February 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2026 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
