During the 1960's, the store began carrying fad items like the swamp coat. Every kid wanted to wear army clothes as a part of a fashion rebellion against the Vietnam War. The look continued through the seventies until the advent of the hip-hop era. In the early 1980's, Andy Csejka, Mike Laemel and Dave Schneider brought the store out of its Army Navy origins, from bowling slacks, bellbottoms and halter tops to hard Lee's, shell-toe Adidas and Kangol hats, transforming it into the new Jimmy's, Connecticut's original hip-hop spot.
Today, Jimmy's has grown from one original store in Bridgeport, to seven locations statewide.
Jimmy's has been the proud sponsor of Black Expo and The Freddie Fixer Parade for many years. During this time we have been awarded the Community Merchant Aware for the Freddie Fixer Parade. We also have participated in the Knowgimmicks Youth Empowerment Corporation "Streetball" League in New Haven, along with sponsoring The High School vs. High School Staff Basketball Game and Sandra's Children's Day Festival. Jimmy's also worked with The Allingtown Citizens Group and held a voter registration in front of the store to encourage minority voter registration. This event was attended by State Senator Toni Harp. Something else we are very proud of is our involvement, donationsand support for many years of the Evergreen Foundation.
For 2004 we announced the Jimmy's and West Haven Black Coalition Scholarship. This will assist a West Haven, CT resident with the pursuit of higher college education. Jimmy's sponsors athletic teams for the Walter "Pop" Smith Little League and an Alpha Epsilon Omega Basketball team.
We have also sponsored food drives with The Amistad Arts Collective and participated with many other organizations / high schools and colleges with fashion shows and other events to SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS US.