Ponzi Tailor Shop — Local services in Phillipsburg

My first tailoring experience was fortunately enough a visit to a gentleman named Lou at Ponzi Tailor Shop to have pants altered. Although I lack other sartorial experiences to contrast this one with, I would put on seven pounds and RSVP to a wedding all over again just to revisit Lou at the shop. The pants looked superb after receiving them back—I could find no fault with their craftsmanship, and they perfectly matched the alteration specification I had requested, which my partner corroborated when seeing me in them. The price was affordable, being less than what I expected to pay after doing a Google search for “average alterations prices”. And as I have an affinity for kindhearted, BS-free people, I feel compelled to add that Lou is that. He is a radiant person who appears to tailor for a reason other than money, and it felt like a privilege to be in his shop. If you’re looking for a tailor with exquisite bedside manners and apparently masterful skills who has been in the business for 65 years but is able to tailor to modern tastes, check out Ponzi’s Tailor Shop. In regards to a reviewer who commented that Lou threw a garment back at her and said he didn’t have time for it—I regret her experience, I credit her review, and I grant it’s entirely possible that an artisan could treat customers differently based on gender. However after meeting Lou, it’s hard to imagine there wasn't a possible misunderstanding or miscommunication. From the scope of my observation, Lou speaks gently but simply. Perhaps this could have led a briefly worded statement about being unable to accommodate a request to be misconstrued as a brusque refusal. Possibly he did not have time on his schedule to accommodate the nature of the garment or a deadline the customer specified, and it had little to do with undervaluing her needs as a female; possibly he intended his words respectfully, and possibly he handed the garment back rather than threw it back. I have no way of knowing that, and I only wish to balance her customer testimony with mine, which is as different as our genders are. I witnessed him treat other customers beyond me with accommodation and deference during the twenty-five minutes I was initially in the shop, including a customer who was unable to walk. My gratitude to Lou, and wishes for a long and healthy life. Five star rating for the service, and more than that for the human...

I had the privilege of meeting Lou, a true gentleman and artisan in the world of tailoring, when I needed a last-minute suit for a funeral. He was recommenced to me by a friend who recently bought a suit from him for his upcoming wedding.

I picked out a charcoal Mantoni wool suit that has both classic style and modern sophistication to it. What impressed me about Lou was his ability to gauge my size with just a glance. The jacket fit me like a glove, requiring only a minor adjustment to the length of the sleeves. The pants, too, looked and felt great. He took in the waist, and hemmed the bottoms to lay just right. The suit also came with a vest that added an extra layer of polish to complete the ensemble.

I selected a crisp white dress shirt, but I've always struggled with ill-fitting shirts due to my large neck. Lou, however, was unfazed by this challenge. He skillfully tailored the shirt, taking in the sides and adjusting the length of the sleeves to perfection. I can honestly say that I've never worn a dress shirt that fit as immaculately as this one after his alterations, he is an artisan!

He even went the extra mile by helping me select a tie that would complement the suit. The contrasting color we chose made the whole outfit pop.

In all my years of buying suits, I can unequivocally say that I've never worn one that fit as flawlessly as this masterpiece tailored by Lou. With over 65 years of tailoring experience under his belt, Lou is a true Italian master of his craft, a rarity in today's world.

If you're a gentleman who appreciates the art of a perfectly tailored suit, Lou is the man to visit. His work speaks volumes, and I couldn't recommend him...

Took my suit here to be altered on December 23rd. I spoke with Lou, the owner, and told him that I needed it for a wedding on the 28th. He said "no problem I'll have it ready for you on the 27th". I received a call from him 2 days later (dec. 25) letting me know my suit was ready. He told me after he was done with the alterations that he found dime-sized hole in the back of the right sleeve and that he spent over an hour repairing it. He then tells me that he's not going to charge me for it. When I went to pick up the suit the repair was so well done it looked like it was part of the original design. Lou is a gentleman and a true craftsman. I will coming here for all of my...