Podcast Episode 4: More than "Just a Note" ft. Perry Lancaster of Brittons of Columbia
Perry Lancaster of Brittons of Columbia learned early in life that a handwritten note can set you apart and change everything. In this episode, Sara Fawcett sits down with Perry as he shares how a lifetime of fashion turned into a life of philanthropy— from mentoring students and teaching the art of tying a tie, to supporting local schools and the USC School of Music, to giving more than $1 million back to the community alongside his wife and business partner, Stacy.
About Episode 3 Guest:
Perry Lancaster is a longtime manager and proud steward of Brittons of Columbia — a family-owned clothing institution that has helped dress generations of Carolinians since 1947. In the summer of 1975, when Jaws ruled the box office and Gerald Ford was in the White House, Perry Lancaster began his career at Brittons, then located in Dutch Square Mall. Fifty years later, he remains a defining presence in Columbia’s clothing scene and at Brittons’ Devine Street store, where he has spent nearly three decades.
Though styles have evolved dramatically, Lancaster believes the essence of his work has stayed the same: focusing on the customer and creating a memorable experience. With a measuring tape around his neck and pins tucked in his sleeve, he brings precision, personality, and an intuitive eye for helping customers find the perfect fit.
Brittons also became family in a literal way. In 1996, Lancaster married Stacy Levinson, whose parents founded the store in the 1940s. Stacy, now the sole owner, says Lancaster’s passion for fashion and genuine warmth have made him an essential part of Brittons’ legacy. She often notes that he makes every person who walks through the door feel special and that he carries out his work with a sincere heart.
Lancaster’s personal touch extends beyond the shop floor. He is widely known for the handwritten notes he sends—often beginning with Just a note—to customers, neighbors, and community members. He mails about 25 a week, offering congratulations, condolences, invitations, or simple thanks. To him, it’s a meaningful way to stay connected in a world where personal notes have become rare.
His dedication is evident in small details, including his personalized RAGMAN license plate, a nod to his decades in the rag business. Colleagues say he’s always ready to help, and longtime customers consider him inseparable from the Brittons brand. Even after five decades, Lancaster shows no signs of slowing down, energized by new styles, USC apparel he helped design, and every customer who walks through the door.
About the Show:
100 years. Countless stories.
A Century of Service is a limited podcast series from United Way of the Midlands, hosted by President & CEO Sara Fawcett. Honoring a century of community impact, tune in as local leaders and changemakers share personal reflections on service, philanthropy, and how we build a better future—together.