IFA Member Profile: The Tux Store Tuxedo Place

When someone states their favorite part about this business is seeing their customer smile knowing they look good in her tuxedos, you know they have a true love for this industry we all share.  Sara Hamilton owner and president of The Tux Store/Tuxedo Place in Washington State is just such an operator “There is something about a man in tux that exudes confidence.  I love knowing I helped with that….building self esteem.  It’s an honor for a couple to choose us to outfit their party members.  We know they have other choices and are thrilled that they choose us.  The entire creative process and seeing everything come together perfectly at the end is what makes it all worth while”   Sara Hamilton worked briefly in a men’s suit store in college.  She had later just left a position as manager of a Victoria’s Secret store when Roy and Sheila Jones who owned The Tuxedo Place at the time offered her a position as manager of a store in Spokane, Washington.  The experience in college working with the men and suits had been positive so she chose to give it a try. The store grew to become the top ranking store in the chain.  She was promoted to Company trainer and regional manager opening two new successful stores in the Seattle market.  So when the opportunity arose for company ownership, she jumped.  Well maybe she says she was pushed just a bit!     The Tux Shop Inc. has recently consolidated to 3 stores in Washington State and 1 in Missoula, Montana along with several wholesale accounts.  The varieties of markets create a unique customer base.  The Seattle store is in the biggest urban market, in a city known for its diverse culture and life styles.  The Missoula Montana store has a very definite earthy western flair.  The people of that area just like to get outside and have a good time.  The other two in Kennewick and Yakima are smaller towns known for their agriculture.   Having what it takes to cover all these market styles keeps life interesting for this store owner.    Like many businesses Sara finds here greatest challenge to be staffing: “I think many times we get caught up in the day to day business that we forget to keep in touch with the key people who make or break our business: our employees.”  She has been working on a structured training program that all new employees will use and is ready to launch it the first of the year.  Giving each employee what type of training they need can be a daunting task, but she adamantly vows to keep trying until it is figured out.   Competitors in her markets are much the same as across the country, she feels the bridal shops that also offer tuxedo rental create the most challenge.  To break the brides away from the comfort of an already established relationship at the bridal shop is tough.  Staying focused on the selection, available colors and well trained employees with formal wear expertise helps to builds the brides’ confidence.     When asked what they do better than their competitors she explains with a very passionate: “We care! With us, tuxedos are all we do.  Our associates are trained in the very essence of the tuxedo.  We can tell what outfits are appropriate for the time of  the wedding, what style will most flatter  body types, what colors will look best, what patterns and textures compliment each other and most importantly how to appropriately measure your tuxedo for proper fit.”  In an all inclusive 1 stop store she feels the tuxedo is very seldom the main focus. And many times the customer will be serviced by an associate with little to no formal wear knowledge.  Educating your customer on what style is classic or trendy, formality advice for different events and how different styles fit is essential.   The store purchases for spring are still under wraps until they are unveiled first to the employees.   When asked if she felt she had been offered what her area was looking for by manufacturers she explained: “Yes. I was very impressed by the creativity that I am seeing.  JOE is amazing… not quite for us, but they get an A+ for uniqueness.  I love the fact the manufacturers finally caught up to the bridal colors... years of being behind has not been easy.  And the fabrics!  It is about time.”  Red tones and brown remain strong colors in her markets.   When asked what she thought the IFA could best do for her: “I’m mainly looking for networking, strategizing, marketing ideas, other sources of income, etc… I really enjoy seminars about those key topics.  I’d love to see something on how to maintain employees and successful leadership skills.  How to combat employee issues, how to handle internal conflict etc….”  On reading the newsletter: “I love the stories!  It is nice to know we aren’t the only ones who have crazy mothers who yell at us for the convenience holes in the pant pockets!”   Our thanks to Sara Hamilton for letting us have a glimpse into her world.  Please take the time to look her up if you are in the area.  She would love to hear from you.  Her email is info@thetuxstoretuxedoplace.com

Al’s Heads West

Al’s Formal Wear is pleased to announce they are heading west to the Centennial State. As of Monday, December 3rd, Al’s has acquired all of the assets of Mister Neat’s Formalwear, the largest formal wear company in the State of Colorado. Founded in 1972, Mister Neat’s Formalwear is family-owned with 17 retail stores throughout the state and a distribution center in Loveland, Colorado.   “The acquisition of Mister Neat’s helps us to continue our growth in formal wear and allows us to leverage the strong foundation we have already built under the Al’s Formal Wear brand,” explained Stuart Gaylor, President of Al’s Formal Wear.  Gaylor added, “Al’s Formal Wear’s mission has always been to meet and exceed our customer’s expectations by providing superior service and exceptional value. This standard is the force that pushes Al’s to be the leader in the formal wear industry.  Similar to Al’s Formal Wear, Mister Neat’s offers its customers high quality merchandise and great customer service. Mister Neat’s corporate culture fits well with ours because as the formal wear leader in Colorado, their employees have a strong work ethic and are very dedicated to being the best in the tuxedo industry – the same as Al’s employees. We feel this is a perfect fit!”   “Our customers will be well served by Al’s Formal Wear and their commitment to quality merchandise and excellent customer service,” said Mark Burke, Founder and CEO of Mister Neat’s Formalwear.  “I am also pleased with the excellent growth opportunities that Al’s Formal Wear is extending to the Mister Neat’s employees,” commented Burke.   Al’s Formal Wear has been serving customers for over 55 years and is one of the largest family-owned and operated businesses in the United States. They currently have over 95 stores in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas and employ over 450 people. In addition to Al’s Formal Wear retail stores, Al’s also operates Ascot Formal Wear, a wholesale division that supplies tuxedos and accessories to other privately held formal wear businesses across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.    At the beginning of 2007, Al’s also purchased Anderson’s Formal Wear based out of Plano, Texas. This added stores in Midland, Odessa and San Angelo, Texas to Al’s retail division. Al’s wholesale division, Ascot Formal Wear, also gained many accounts due to this purchase.   To learn more about Al’s Formal Wear, please visit www.alsformalwear.com.

FCGI and Dow XLA

How many times have you heard “Fat Guy in a Little Coat” sang in your store on pick up days??  I know we can not be unique in this, because I would be rich if I only had a dollar for each verse!  We know as formal wear professionals a properly fitted tuxedo does not always equal consumer satisfaction. You can be looking at the finest fitting garment when the customer crosses his arm in an Incredible Hulk imitation and tells you it is “TOO TIGHT!!”  FCGI is using a new type of wool in some of their garments for spring and the ability for the fabric to stretch is amazing. I asked Ken Hall about this fabric and what it is made up of.   Dow XLA is a fiber that is used to make the yarns that are woven into the cloth.    FCGI is gradually converting all of our Burlington goods into fabric incorporating the Dow XLA technology beginning with Perry Ellis  and JOE for Spring 2008.   XLA virtually disappears into the fabric, so the tuxedo maintains its soft wool hand and drape.  XLA eliminates color and stretch inconsistencies from heat setting steps, providing cost and processing efficiencies in production.  XLA fiber withstands the rigors of textile processing and can endure the stresses of multiple dry cleanings without compromising stretch performance.   The end consumer benefits:        XLA provides a soft, comfortable stretch and recovery within the garment.     XLA Maintains shape and releases wrinkles, so garments look and feel as         fresh at the end of the night, as they did that morning.     XLA retains natural luxurious wool touch.   In short, it promises to be the rental "wonder fabric" of the future.   Ken Hall Vice President Sales Fabian Couture Group International CELL: 201-726-2349 FAX: 805-379-0300 westtux@aol.com

Your First Resolution for 2008: Better Credit Card Processing

Applied Merchant has over 10+ years in experience and a trusted partnership with IFA for many years in providing electronic payment solutions for its members.  The most recent members have been saving 20%-30% by switching to our services.  Hear it from a member in your association:   “Delivered what you promised!  It is in fact a lower rate plan than I’ve been paying.  The service is good!” (Vrej Gregorian, Owner of Moda Formalwear, 12/06/07)   At Applied Merchant, everyday we work with new clients who realize that they have been overcharged for years.  Because of this, we offer a free rate analysis to create the most beneficial program for each individual’s business model.  Each one is tailored to fit our clients need.  Please fax your most recent statement to (312) 794-6786, and we will get back to you within 1 business day.   Or call us!  For further information, contact Jessica Hein at (800) 675-6573 X6712.

Are you reading this?

With the Holiday season we are taking a short break.  Your next edition of the newsletter will be in January.  We would like input on what articles you would like in the next issue.  We need ideas from ALL readers out there on what they enjoy reading about!  Do you, like Sara Hamilton, enjoy the tales from the day to day goings on in the stores?  Do you like reading about other operators?  Do you like reading about the sales reps we have all come to know and love?  Are the employee training articles useful?  Are you looking for information?  Do you want to know more about one of the companies we buy from?  Do you want to hear more about people in the industry in other countries?  What do you want to know more about?  Send all comments and suggestions to rebeccamc522@aol.com