A New Chapter for a Cleveland Classic

Rebecca Meiser

When Penny Duijser took the reins at Knuth’s this summer, she wasn’t just stepping into a retail space – she was stepping into a beloved Cleveland institution. Known for its curated selection of contemporary women’s clothing at a variety of price points, Knuth’s – which has a Westlake location as well as the popular Pepper Pike flagship has long been a community hub where friendships are made and style is celebrated.

Duijser brings a unique perspective to the store: a globe-trotting career in corporate supply chain management, a personal journey that included a health challenge, and a deep appreciation for community and family. For her, owning Knuth’s isn’t just about fashion – it’s about continuing a legacy, supporting local causes, and creating a store where both customers and staff feel at home.

JStyle sat down with Duijser to hear about her path to fashion retail, what it’s been like taking over a local favorite, and how she plans to honor the store’s history while guiding it into the future.

Tell us about your background before entering fashion retail.

I was born and raised in Montreal to a Canadian mother and an Italian father. At 23, I moved to Europe and began working for Nestlé. I stayed with the company for nearly 20 years in supply chain. I was basically an internal consultant, running projects around cost-cutting, efficiency and software implementation. That career took me all over the world – Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, San Francisco, Cleveland, Minneapolis. So, nothing to do with fashion.

What made you decide to step away from that career?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40, I decided to take a little break. I stayed home for about 10 years. Once my kids were older, I started looking for something new. When I heard about the Knuth’s opportunity, it just felt right – I already shopped here, I loved the community, and I thought it would be such a pity if it disappeared.

How did Cleveland become home for you?

I’ve lived in Cleveland on and off since 2011 – first for work, then for treatment, and then simply because I loved it here. Even when we moved away, I missed it and came back. My husband commutes for work, but he’s supportive of me being in Cleveland.

Does anyone in your family have experience with retail?

A fun, full-circle connection: My husband’s mother, whom I sadly never met – she passed away young, in her 50s – once ran several Benetton boutiques in France. She bought them when my husband went to college. She ran them for three or four years, until she passed away. My husband kept them running for almost 20 years after. He never worked there – it didn’t make money, but it kept people working and happy. He cared about the people there. When the managers decided to retire, he closed it. So, in a way, I’m doing what she once did.

How did the sale of Knuth’s come about?

A friend in commercial real estate asked the owners, John and Sherri, if they’d consider relocating. John told her, “Actually, we’re for sale.” She invited me to lunch and said, “I think you should do this.” She thought it was the right fit. I said, “Let me look into it.” I talked to my husband and he was immediately on board. I first heard about it in June, and by Aug. 18, the sale was complete. It all moved quickly. There were no hidden problems – just a straightforward process.

Knuth is a reference to Sherri’s maiden name. Why did you decide to keep the Knuth’s name?

From the start, I knew I wanted to keep the name, the location and the team. I didn’t even want a big announcement of “new ownership,” because sometimes with new ownership people feel like, “Oh, that was something that failed.” But that wasn’t the case at all. John and Sherri built a beloved store and a loyal community; they simply wanted to retire.

Most of the staff have been here for a long time, and they’ve been amazing – welcoming, encouraging and completely devoted to the store.

And Sherri is still very involved, which has been invaluable. We’ve gone on buying trips together, and she’s taught me so much – how clothing really fits different bodies, what colors sell and what doesn’t. She has this incredible eye – after 40 years of dressing women, she can look at something and immediately know whether it will flatter or not. Watching her work like that has been such an education.

Have you made any changes in the Pepper Pike store since taking over?

We’ve done some cleanup and updates – new carpets, lights, a little freshening up – but we’ve kept the spirit of the store intact. We’re bringing in a few new brands, like Brochu Walker, Citizen, Marie Oliver, Frame and Frye boots, while keeping longtime favorites. Customers have also been asking for more dresses, skirts and blazers, so we’re leaning into that. We’re also expanding in small but important ways – opening on Sundays, staying open later one evening a week and growing our online presence. We’re even negotiating another location that could open in 2026.

Cleveland sometimes gets a reputation for not being the most fashionable city. Having lived and traveled all over the world, do you think that’s true?

Not at all. I actually think people in Cleveland are very fashionable. Everyone I see looks fabulous. I think that reputation comes more from the fact that Cleveland is a smaller city. Big luxury brands usually want a huge population base around them, which is why they choose places like New York. But that doesn’t mean Cleveland isn’t stylish. In fact, some out-of-the-box brands are starting to come here – we’ve already seen some, and I hope we see more.

What’s your own fashion style?
I don’t know what to call it. I wouldn’t say I’m the most fashion forward. I love to wear a pair of jeans and a blouse and boots or a dress. I don’t like wearing anything wild, but I love it so much when somebody else does.

What role does the community play in your vision for Knuth’s?

Everything. Knuth’s has always been a community store, and I want to build on that. Supporting local causes is important to me – I’ve already partnered with schools, nonprofits and organizations like Ronald McDonald House and MedWish. We’re also creating events where customers can shop for a cause. For example, a school PTA or community group can host an evening here, invite friends and family, and we’ll donate a percentage of sales back to them. It brings people into the store, builds connections and supports the community.

What has been most gratifying so far?

The immediate warmth from customers and staff. People stop me in the store – or even at my hair salon – to say congratulations. Cleveland really is such a small town. I had just gotten my hair done, and the studio owner – who I’d never even met – came over to say, “Congratulations.” I was like, “Wait, how did you even know?”

Honestly, we haven’t really posted much about it, because it never felt like it should be about us. This is Sherri and John’s baby – Sherri’s name is on the store, and it reflects her and her husband’s lifelong work. We just want to honor that. Our hope is to keep it a place people love coming to – both to work and to shop.

Visit

In Pepper Pike: Landerwood Plaza, 30619 Pinetree Road

In Westlake: Jefferson Square, 26141 Detroit Road

Online: shop-knuths.com