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Joe
and Tony Ghamo established J T GHAMO in 1986 as a mens-clothing
store, providing their clientele clothing of Old World tailoring
with sophistication and service that would make their late
Grandfather proud. After attending a relative's wedding, they
noticed the quality of tuxedos the men were wearing, and to say the
least, the brothers were not impressed.
In
1989, Joe was asked to be a groomsman at a friend's wedding. This
friend asked if they could provide the tuxedos. Joe had very little
knowledge in the formal wear rental business, Tony remembered a
salesman representing a tuxedo company had called just a few weeks
earlier--it was at that moment that J. T. GHAMO-THE TUXEDO
PLACE was born. In the early days, a wholesaler was used for
their formal wear department, where everything was ordered through a
catalog, but with late deliveries and poor quality, the Ghamos began
purchasing more of their own inventory. In 1992, a local formal wear
store was for sale in Hartford's West End. With the retail climate
at an all time low since the Depression, the Ghamos strongly
considered the purchase; months later, they closed their
mens-clothing store in New Britain and moved their business to
Hartford.
Committed to thrive in their new establishment, they began a
strong marketing plan, purchasing tuxedos of better designers and
quality to create a more upscale climate. In 1995, after a few years
of prosperity, the building in which the formal wear store was
located caught fire and 95% of the inventory was lost. Once again
the Ghamos suffered another setback. With limited insurance and an
eight-month delay in the re-opening, the store opened its doors in
late April of 1996. It was a new attitude and direction that the
brothers took this time, not only to be the best but also to rival
the biggest in the industry.
Today, J.T. GHAMO-THE TUXEDO PLACE is a leader in the
men's formal wear business in central Connecticut. Dedicated to
service, quality and style, J.T. is poised for bigger and better
endeavors. With the new millennium upon us, the time is now for
further growth. The Ghamos plan to include a new state of the art
laundry and distribution center to better facilitate their stores.
In addition, more retail outlets will be added in the near future.
With a 90-day intensive training program that includes garment
design, fabric content, proper fitting and basic tailoring, their
employee training is among the best in the industry. Every one on
their staff is trained to make any last minute alteration on
tuxedos.
J.T. GHAMO-THE TUXEDO PLACE is not creating new
markets, supplementing them by catering to customers needs and
wants, and by being true to their mission of Quality, Service and
Style… |