From Tailoring to Technology: How a 50-Year Downtown Business Stays Relevant | EP 14

We have another episode that will surely inspire you to continue doing your craft and keep a good relationship not only with your customers but also with other store owners.

Join Terresa Zimmerman and Tony Paranzino in this conversation. Tony, the owner of Tony the Tailor in Charleston, West Virginia, shares his remarkable journey from learning tailoring at age 9 in the family business to running a successful men's retail business for over 50 years. Tony’s father started as a technical designer for the Botany 500 suit. Following in his father's footsteps, Tony has built a reputation for excellence in tailoring and men's fashion, serving clients far beyond the borders of Charleston and West Virginia.

Through economic ups and downs, changing fashion trends, and evolving retail landscapes, Tony has successfully adapted his business model while maintaining the core values of exceptional service and quality. His business has transformed multiple times - from a pure tailor shop to a full men's store, back to tailoring, and now a comprehensive men's store with expert tailoring services, and a vibrant E-com business, generating over $1 million in annual online sales, alongside his brick-and-mortar operation.

Topics Discussed:

• Early beginnings and family legacy in tailoring

• Evolution of business model and adaptation to market changes

• Customer service philosophy and building long-term relationships

• Importance of downtown location in retail strategy

• Modern retail tools: Square POS, loyalty programs, text marketing

• Mobile trunk shows and expanding customer base

• Succession planning in specialty retail

• Community involvement and giving back

• Changes in men's fashion and tailoring techniques

• Training new talent and mentoring staff

• Challenges in finding skilled tailors

• Impact of department stores on local retail

• Building customer loyalty through personalized service

• Importance of Main Street to community vitality

• Role of tailoring in modern menswear

• Managing business during economic changes

• Online retail integration with traditional business

• Future trends in menswear and retail

Featured Store:

Tony Paranzino Tony the Tailor Charleston, WV

Website: https://bestmastertailor.com/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tonythetailor1

FB: @tonythetailorwv LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-paranzino-0b153118

Connect with Us:

Main Street Matters Podcast:

Website: www.mainstreetmatters.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainstreetmatters1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/main-street-matters

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MainStreetMatters_MSM

Host - Terresa Zimmerman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terresachristensonzimmerman