Yesterday Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D/MI) along with Oak Park Michigan Mayor Marian McClellan, City Manager Erik Tungate, Community and Economic Development Director Kimberly Marrone and Oak Park Schools Superintendent Dr. Daveda Colbert attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by eBay seller and Govt. Relations Ambassador Marty Babayov. The ribbon-cutting marked the grand opening of the first designer menswear store in Marty’s local Oak Park Michigan community. Marty, who got his start selling clothes on eBay when he was still a young high school student, was able to open this 11,000 sq. ft. store due primarily to the The Suit Depot’s success with online sales. “The Suit Depot could not survive exclusively as a traditional brick-and-mortar store,” explains Babayov. Thanks to online sales, Babayov was able to generate enough growth and revenue to open a retail store that will service local customers.

Today, though just in his 20s, he already employs 11 individuals. Furthermore he’s used his success to give back to charitable organizations that clothe the homeless and less fortunate. Marty’s story not only embodies the American Dream, but it represents the future of America’s small businesses, a future where entrepreneurs can generate growth and revenue by operating both online and offline. Congratulations Marty - eBay is honored to have played a role in your success story!