In 1950, childhood friends[1] Charles E. Carples, a Sage-Allen manager, and Brown-Thomson buyer Stanley W. Vogel[2] each borrowed $5,000 (~$50,000 in 2023)[3] to co-found Casual Corner, opening its first retail store that April Fools Day[1] in West Hartford, Connecticut.

[1] Casual Corner broke tradition with retail conventions of the day, allowing women to physically browse clothing and try on items in fitting rooms, rather than encasing apparel behind glass.

each store displayed the following poem near its front door:[1] Come in and browse and tarry and chat Casual Corner is meant just for that Come in and leisurely look awhile And find here what’s good and fine in style And if you wish your business we’ll tend Come in as a stranger—leave as a friend.

These stores were all designed around a traditional upscale country theme, featuring fine early American furnishings, fixtures and trim, a fireplace, coffee station, New Yorker magazines, and dress forms as mannequins.

[citation needed] Under U.S. Shoe's ownership, Casual Corner became the foundation of a larger holding company, Women's Specialty Retailing Group.