Clyde R. Brownstone

A police officer on horseback trotting down the canyons of Manhattan is a stirring sight that would seem to have nothing to do with the gift industry. But there is a connection. The horses used by New York's finest are a gift from Clyde R. Brownstone, owner of Gift Box Corporation of America, one of our industry's oldest and best known companies. Clyde paid for all of the 100 horses currently used by the NYPD's mounted unit, and provides for about ten replacement horses each year. The horses are part of his involvement in the New York Police Foundation, a civic organization that aids the police through a number of programs. And the foundation is just one of a number of community organizations that this successful gift industry businessman is committed to.

Clyde's New York roots go deep. He was born (and lives, with his wife, Diane) in Manhattan. His parents and two of his grandparents were born in Manhattan. He has worked in his office at 225 Fifth Avenue since 1965. His son, Spencer, owns an art gallery in Manhattan's SoHo district, where he champions young, emerging artists. Only his daughter, Jennifer, has left the island: She runs the Gift Box Corp. showroom in San Francisco.

Gift Box Corporation of America was founded in 1935, in Brooklyn. Clyde, who had worked in the paper and financial industries, became the third partner in the small company 30 years later. Today, he is the sole owner. Over the years, Gift Box grew "modestly, but continuously," according to Clyde, from a producer of a simple line of boxes to the dominant manufacturer of a complete packaging line for retailers. Gift Box Corp. has 250 employees worldwide; manufacturing facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Arizona; a distribution facility in France; and 16 international showrooms. Most of the company's products are manufactured in the U.S.

Brownstone's contributions through the Police Foundation began several years ago when he offered to buy the mounted unit a horse "on the condition that they name it Clyde," he says with a twinkle. Among his other activities, he is vice chairman of the foundation's Crime Stoppers Committee, an innovative program that rewards citizens who provide information about a crime or a criminal. By calling 577-TIPS, an informant is assigned a code number to preserve his or her anonymity through the entire process — from giving evidence to receiving a financial reward. It's an extremely successful program, according to Clyde, who says that 10 percent of New York's murder cases are resolved through TIPS information.

The foundation also provided the police force with its first computer system, and a simulator for training police officers. The simulator projects a life-sized "scene," such as a man stepping out of a car that has been pulled over by a police cruiser. The police trainee, armed with an electronic gun, has to make split-second decisions based on the man's actions — is he reaching for his wallet or a weapon? "It's the kind of thing the public should experience to understand just what a police officer often faces," says Clyde.

Besides his work with the police department, Clyde is vice chairman of the board of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, a New York–based training organization for family therapists. He has been involved with the institute for 20 years.

Five years ago, with his help, Clyde's wife Diane founded the Brownstone Book Fund. Each year the fund sends 100 children's books to 100 needy, rural libraries. Clyde notes that many of the local librarians are not familiar with filling out grant requests, so the fund works closely with them in selecting titles and filling out the necessary paperwork.

Clyde's other passion is the industry we all work in. It has served him well, and he has been a committed participant, taking an active part in various associations over the years and speaking out on matters of importance to the industry.

He states proudly that Gift Box Corporation of America is one of the oldest tenants in 225 Fifth Avenue, and was one of the first tenants in both the Atlanta and Dallas marts. Since his company exhibits at more than 100 trade shows every year, he is concerned about the increased competition he sees developing among trade show organizers, and whether that competition is going to hurt or help the buyer.

And he is concerned about the future of the independent retailer, who he says is facing more challenges today than ever before. Taxes, insurance rates, real estate issues, and employment costs are just a few of the obstacles small retailers face. But Clyde also sees opportunity for independents in the wake of September 11, 2001. Independents had a much better holiday season than anyone could have predicted. Leery of shopping in mega malls and seeking a more personal touch, "consumers found what they were looking for in the independents," Clyde says. A purchase wrapped in an attractive box and tied with ribbon by a smiling, attentive retailer is the sort of thing that customers can expect when shopping at specialty gift stores.

"That's what we offer, that personal service," he says. "My hope is that having had that experience, the consumer will continue to want it." But he also notes that independent retailers will have to work hard to capitalize on this renewed appreciation for their services.

Clyde Brownstone's commitment to his company, his industry, and his community over the past half century are the reasons that Gifts & Dec is proud to honor him with its 2002 Industry Achievement Award. The Award will be presented to Clyde at the Retailer Excellence Awards gala at New York's Plaza hotel, August 11, 2002.