Stein Mart's Torreyson to retire
Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/28/2001
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Closing out a long-running career in the home fashions, kids and gift areas, Pat Torreyson will retire in mid July as gmm for home textiles and gift at Stein Mart.
Torreyson joined the fledgling Stein Mart chain in 1985 — "back then they had just 16 stores, and now it's more than 240. It's been a lot of fun, a wonderful run, and now it's time to step aside and let someone else have a chance."
Stepping up to the plate as new gmm is Pat Stagner, who is being promoted from her current post as home textiles dmm. "Pat is going to be really good," said Torreyson. "She's a very bright, strategic thinker. She's going to be great in the job."
What's Torreyson going to be up to? "Taking it easy." She told Home Textiles Today. "I've built a house on the Clearwater side of Florida and I'm heading over there and chilling out. And looking forward to it," she said in her familiar throaty chuckle.
Torreyson recalled her early days at Stein Mart. "Back then, we had one gmm for the whole store and three dmm's. I was divisional for home, kids and intimate. Talk about your synergies," she laughed. "I was brought in by Jay Stein because I had experience in kids, and ended up with this other stuff. But over time, as we got bigger, we spun off intimate and later the kids."
Looking back, she said, "I can't tell you how much fun I've had. I've had a couple of jobs, but this has been far and away the most fun place to work. It's a great way to end a career, knowing that you've been able to enjoy what you do. This has been just the best place, the greatest people to work with that you could possibly imagine. And what an opportunity, to really watch something grow and be a part of it. You just can't touch that. It's a great way to end a career. Now I'm looking forward to the next phase. Going to chill out in a new house."
What's up next on her calendar? "I'll be heading down to Context, your party down in Palm Beach. I'm going to let my hair down and make that my last hurrah. So if anyone wants to see me, that's going to be their last chance."
