Syms Corp. Founder Dies

Sy Syms, founder of Syms Corp., died Tuesday. He was 83.

More than 50 years ago, Syms started the off-price apparel chain, one of the first retailers to sell discounted menswear. His slogan was: “An educated consumer is our best customer.”

In 1983, the retail chain went public and has grown to 30 stores in 13 states. The company purchased the bankrupt Filene's Basement in June.

“My father had an uncanny talent that made him sensitive to the needs of his customers and the changes in the marketplace,” says Marcy Syms, Sy’s daughter and current chief executive of Syms Corp. “He knew the time was right for off-price retailing. Certainly he was ahead of his time.”

Syms is survived by his wife, Lynn Tamarkin Syms, and four children.