Ralsten, Ltd.

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Ralsten, Ltd. opened at 1531 4th Ave. in 1963. Owners Murrell
and Helen Ralsten died in the Marshall plane crash.

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HUNTINGTON — One of the most enduring styles in modern American dress is the preppy look,
 based on attire favored by young people who have been to an expensive prep school.

For men, that means a blue blazer, button-down shirts, narrow ties with regimental
 stripes, khaki pants, cotton polo shirts, tasseled loafers and crew-neck sweaters.
 For women, it’s solid-colored skirts, cardigans, blazers and pastel shirts.

In the 1960s, the unofficial Huntington headquarters for preppy
 clothing was Ralsten, Ltd., a small shop at 1531 4th Ave.

Murrell Ralsten and his wife, Helen, opened their shop, located just a stone’s
throw from Marshall’s Old Main, in 1963. There they offered, as their
advertising proclaimed, “Fine Clothing In The Traditional
Manner for Young Men & Ladies.”

A member of Huntington City Council, Murrell Ralsten was born in
Beckley in 1931. A graduate of Greenbrier Military Academy
 and Marshall, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon
 fraternity, the Huntington Rotary Club and the
 Guyan Golf and Country Club.

A former Chesapeake school teacher, Helen Ralsten was born in
Weirton in 1938. A graduate of Marshall, she was a member
 of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, the Junior League of
Huntington, the Assembly Club
and the Regency Club.

The Ralstens were among the two dozen Herd fans who were on the
jetliner carrying the Marshall football team when it crashed at
 Tri-State Airport on Nov. 14, 1970. All 75 people
 aboard perished in the crash.

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Note:  This Article and picture appeared in the Herald-Dispatch Newspaper on June 9, 2020.

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