About
<img src="http://www.sharonluggage.com/customers/103092417040578/images/1953Steigers_crop.jpg" width="420">
Your luggage, your briefcase, the writing instrument you use, the gifts you give, all make a statement about you. Tell the world who you are. For nearly 40 years, Sharon Luggage & Gifts has been helping people do just that by featuring the best luggage, most functional briefcases and accessories, distinctive gifts, fine writing instruments, and many other special items. Let us do the same for you.
<img src="http://www.sharonluggage.com/customers/103092417040578/images/1977Willaimsport2.jpg" width="420">
THE SHARON LUGGAGE STORY
It was 1934, the height of the Great Depression, when Howard L. Steiger did an unusual thing--he opened a business. It was a trunk and leathergoods shop in downtown Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Known as Steiger Brothers and later, Steiger's, the shop did quite well. More variety of merchandise was added over the years, and H. L.'s sons, Howard Paul, and Robert (Bob) were trained in the business. Bob continued in the family business while Howard went on to a successful career as a dermatologist.
By 1969, Howard had been practicing medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina for more than 20 years when he decided to take advantage of the opportunity offered by a new shopping mall to be called SouthPark, and open a luggage shop. He worked with Bob and other family members to get things rolling, and settled on the name Sharon Luggage, named after the street on which the mall was located, Sharon Road. Sharon Luggage and Belk Department Store remain as SouthPark's only two original tenants.
Uncle Bob & Family 1977
Uncle Bob & Family 1977
As with many downtown areas in the 1970s, Williamsport's downtown changed, and Steiger's closed in 1977. But by that time, Sharon Luggage & Gifts was thriving, and its new president, Paul Steiger, Howard's son, was making great strides with the business. Bob (now affectionately known as Uncle Bob) came to Charlotte to help, opening a store in Greensboro, and operating it until his semi-retirement in the late 1980s. Howard worked behind the scenes throughout the 70s, and retired from his practice and most of his involvement in the business in the late 80s as well.
By then, Ed Shaw and Logan Howe had been on board as executives for several years, and Paul, Ed, and Logan greatly expanded the business. By 2000, Sharon Luggage & Gifts included 16 stores in North and South Carolina, a kiosk called Time To Write devoted to fine writing instruments and timepieces located in the Charlotte Douglas Airport, and a retail website, sharonluggage.com.
Then came September 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks brought travel to a virtual standstill, and with it, the travel business. Still mourning the incredible loss of our fellow Americans, Sharon Luggage was forced to close a total of 8 stores throughout 2002.
Thanks to our longevity, solid leadership, and the support of our many vendors, Sharon Luggage carried on, and by 2004 had begun to see improvement. By 2007, we were in a position to respond to our customers' requests for more locations, and we added a second store in Raleigh, at the Triangle Town Center. Our many customers have stayed loyal, and we are looking ahead to more stores in the future.
Sharon Luggage & Gifts is proud of our heritage, thankful to our customers, and excited about the future. We are always adding new merchandise, responding to our customers' ideas and requests, and leading the industry in looking for new and better products and innovations to make travel and business better for our customers. Become part of our extended family of shoppers today and join us as we Depart From the Ordinary!
Find our locations here.
THE SHARON LUGGAGE DIFFERENCE
Why shop with us when there are other places to buy your luggage, briefcase, backpack, writing instrument, gift or other item, both online, and in the mall?
We like to stand out. We like to "wow" our customers. We like to pay attention to special details that make your shopping experience unique. Here are few advantages we offer:
*Prompt, personal attention with expert knowledge of our products and their functions
*Free personalization on many items
*Free giftwrap on most items
*Premium and Luxury brands that are hard to find, including Tumi, Montblanc, Hartmann,
Briggs & Riley, Bosca, Faber-Castell, and Vera Bradley, to name a few
*Service after the sale including our full-service Repair Center
*Gift Cards available in any amount
A Few Sharon Luggage & Gifts Notable Recognitions
Founding Member National Luggage Dealers Association
Member Travel Goods Association
Samsonite Partnership Summit Award 2005
High Sierra Sport Luggage Retailer of the Year 2003
Briggs & Riley Luggage Retailer of the Year 2002, 1997
Eagle Creek Travel Gear Retailer of the Year 1999
Tumi Luggage Retailer of the Year 1994
Hartmann Luggage Retailer of the Year 1978