From Left to Right: Donna, Meg, and Evan

By Vickie Holt

Meg Weddle, owner of Meg’s Specialty Women’s Wear in Radford, grew up in Blacksburg and is a native of the New River Valley. With both parents being teachers, young Meg enrolled in Virginia Tech with her eye on a teaching degree. It seemed like the obvious path. However, being from a large family, Meg needed a part time job to help pay for college.
Meg worked for Bonomo’s clothing store during her college years and liked it so much that she turned down a position to teach at Christiansburg Elementary after graduation. She had done her student teaching there, and the principal was ready to welcome her on as a full-time teacher. Instead, she accepted an offer to manage Bonomo’s newest store in Radford. Ironically, or perhaps fatefully, located in the exact same building that Meg’s occupies today.
From 1982 – 1988, Meg continued working for Bonomo’s, and she married Garrett Weddle along the way. In 1986, the couple purchased Copenhaver’s Menswear, a third-generation family business located at 1110 Norwood Street. The business was renamed Garrett’s Menswear, and after some minor renovations and some changes in the stock, Garrett’s opened for business.
After so many years managing Bonomo’s, and gaining even more experience as part of Garrett’s, Meg not only had a lot of experience running a clothing store, but she also had lots of experience with clothing and fashion. In 1992, she got the opportunity to put all that knowledge together with her teaching degree and became an adjunct professor at Radford University in the fashion department! She was thrilled to continue that role until 2000.
1992 was also the year that Garrett’s Menswear, after having become a thriving business, gave rise to Meg’s Specialty Womenswear. Following many requests, the couple decided to create a partner store on the second floor of the building that would provide for women the same quality of clothing and exceptional service that Garrett’s provided to men.
For the next four years, Meg’s and Garrett’s grew and flourished. In 1996, however, Garrett wanted to go into Real Estate. That’s when Meg stepped up to take over managing both businesses and running the day-to-day operations. Both stores continued to thrive as Meg developed her signature brand of fashion service that went hand in hand with her teaching skills. In addition to providing purchase choices in the showroom, Meg also offered fashion consultation and advice, helping customers to better understand the best choices for their needs. She also went the extra mile to find and obtain items her clients were looking for.
In 2003, Garrett’s Real Estate savvy allowed the Weddles to obtain the storefront property at 1136 East Main Street in downtown Radford. With a property featuring two storefronts, side-by-side, Garrett’s moved in on the left while Meg’s moved in on the right. Together, they have become two of the premier clothiers of the New River Valley!
Well established in her current location for nearly twenty years now, Meg celebrated a total of thirty years in business in 2022! Not only is she recognized as the owner of a key business in downtown Radford, Meg is also famous for pioneering a group called ‘The Lunch Bunch’, which meets every Tuesday at BT’s Restaurant on Tyler Avenue.
At these meetings, Meg gives talks on a wide variety of fashion subjects. Past talks have included what’s new for the upcoming season, market reports, new styles, how to look younger or thinner with clothing, and history of fashion. She has also begun a series that focuses on regional characteristics of fashion, starting with fashion choices from the southeastern United States.
These meetings are not only attended by clients. Clothing vendors and suppliers also make time to attend. As a perk for being there, Meg also provides discounts for anyone visiting the store after the meeting.
Looking back over the years, Meg notes how the fashion business has changed with the information age. In years past, clients would come into a store and simply choose from what was available on the shelves and racks. Today, however, people have the ability to search the internet and they can see fashions available from all over the world. In today’s world, clients have become more specialized in their desires and needs. When they shop for clothing, they have ideas that often go far beyond the four walls of the store, so there are more special orders. Some folks just want something new, so Meg also keeps an eye out for new fashions in the market to give people a reason to buy. She carries labels such as Brighton, Tribal, Liz Claiborne, Merrell, and Joseph Ribkoff.
And since people can get products from all over the world now, a store really has to offer services to get folks to come in and shop. As for those special orders, if her clients don’t find what they need in the store, Meg tries her best to get it for them. She also continues to provide advice and consultation, delivering clothing solutions for different needs. She even offers complementary alterations!
Meg also makes sure her staff are trained so they, too, can provide these five-star services. Ann is on hand to help with buying for the store. She also does a wonderful job with the display windows, making a positive impact on the downtown aesthetic.
Shoppers are also likely to meet the lively and wonderful Peggy who can brighten anyone’s day on the sales floor. In addition to sales, Garrett (not related) also provides support as Meg’s online media person. Filling out the sales staff are Donna, as well as Havva and Evan – two Radford High School students who bring a youthful look to Meg’s. Then there’s Teitum, part-time seamstress and fashion design student at Radford University, who facilitates those complementary alterations.
Finally, Meg tells us we must also mention Kevin, who graduated from Radford University with a degree in accounting. Kevin has been Garrett’s and Meg’s accountant for thirty-three years, and Meg is grateful for the consistency his service has provided to the operation of her businesses from the beginning.
“Fashion itself has gotten much more casual,” says Meg, reflecting on more of the changes she’s seen over the years. “When we first opened, ladies wore suits and high heels to work. Now many companies allow shorts and flip-flops and no one thinks anything about it.”
Meg goes on to tell us that though much has changed, the prices for clothing haven’t seen the same increases as other consumer products. Prices may have increased a little, but they are not so different as they have been over the past few decades.
Looking forward, Meg tells us the plan is always as it has been. “You constantly need to change and reinvent yourself. Update the stores and the sales floors. Brainstorming new ways to reach out to clients in special ways, such as birthday boxes. Perhaps adding online shopping.”
Meg is super thankful to all their clients, especially for their support through the pandemic. She is honored to be part of the Radford community and to serve the New River Valley and beyond. “Service is our trademark. We started the store with this motto, and this is why we are still here.”

Meg’s Specialty Women’s Wear • 540-639-3841 • Meg Weddle
1136 East Main Street, Radford, VA • 10AM – 6PM Tues-Fri
info@ClothingMustHaves.com • www.ClothingMustHaves.com