Walk into Charles Department Store and Katonah’s history is not framed behind glass. It is alive beneath tin ceilings, across creaky wooden floors and in conversations between customers and a family that has served this community for more than a century.
Founded in 1924 by Charles and Isabelle Raneri, the business began with Charles traveling between Northern Westchester and New York City to fulfill customers’ orders. His guiding belief: “You can’t sell from an empty cart” helped transform that enterprise into the landmark generations of shoppers now know on Katonah Avenue.
Today, fourth-generation owner Kelly Raneri carries that story forward. The responsibility is both inspiring and demanding.
“I have big shoes to fill, and that can weigh heavily on me at times,” she says. “But it’s also a great motivator.”
Honoring the past does not mean standing still. She takes joy in curating the store’s products and categories, preserving the quality and personal service associated with Charles while considering what customers need next. That creative freedom allows the store to evolve without losing what made it beloved.
The balance is visible at Charles. Its historic surroundings invite nostalgia, but the merchandise feels considered for modern life. Shoppers discover clothing, footwear, accessories, home goods and Katonah-inspired pieces selected with a point of view. The experience feels rare: broad enough to invite discovery, personal enough to feel chosen.
Yet products alone cannot explain 102 years of longevity. Raneri credits the relationships formed inside the store.
“We get to know people by name, listen to their needs and learn their stories,” she says. “There is a connection in every interaction, and that builds over time.”
That connection turns a purchase into something more enduring. Local customers return because they are remembered. Visitors carry the experience with them because, even during a brief stop, they feel welcomed into the rhythm of the town. In an era of anonymous transactions and endless digital choices, Charles offers something an algorithm cannot replicate: recognition.
The store’s longevity is also inseparable from Katonah itself. Raneri describes the village as a place that attracts wonderful people, whether they live nearby or arrive for the day. Its independent businesses, walkable center and sense of community create an environment where personal service still matters.
As Thanksgiving approaches, Raneri’s gratitude begins with the people closest to the business. She is thankful for a team whose effort and dedication bring Charles to life, and for customers whose support allows the store to remain part of their routines, celebrations and stories. Personally, she credits her family’s unconditional encouragement with making her work possible.
Her gratitude extends beyond her own doors. Raneri recognizes the Katonah Chamber of Commerce for championing the village through events, fundraising and community-building. On a more everyday level, she is grateful for the Village Market, which keeps her well-fed and has become a cherished part of her daily routine.
It is a fitting reflection of what makes Katonah special: local businesses do more than share a street. They sustain one another, know one another and collectively create the sense of place customers remember.
For Kelly Raneri, the future of Charles is not about choosing between legacy and change. It is about understanding that the strongest traditions remain meaningful because someone continues to care for them, reinterpret them and invite a new generation inside.
After 102 years, the cart is still full and so is the story.
“We get to know people by name, listen to their needs and learn their stories. There is a connection in every interaction.”