Manno Clothing & Tailoring Continues to Impress with Bespoke Services

For Manno Clothing & Tailoring, it all began in 1971 when Anthony Manno’s grandparents opened their first tailoring shop in Dearborn. It was small, just 400 square feet, with no inventory. They had immigrated from Sicily to Canada, eventually settling in Michigan, and they risked it all when they opened their beloved boutique.

“My grandfather was a tailor at many high-end department stores like Montgomery Ward and Hudson’s. But they really had a difficult time making ends meet doing that, so they took the risk,” says Manno, whose father eventually moved the business to its current location. “They just offered tailoring because they couldn’t afford inventory. And little by little, they started to add pieces. It was a very competitive environment in the ’70s and ’80s. There were stores all over the place like them. They really had to separate themselves through their service and through their workmanship — and that’s what they ultimately did.”

Today, Manno Clothing & Tailoring continues to be a beacon of unparalleled service and craft. Just as it was when the boutique originally opened, all tailoring services continue to be done in house and on premises. In fact, you can walk through the tailor shop and see the masters in action.  “It’s a lot like watching a chef prepare your meal,” says Manno. “That’s an analogy I like to use. I’m a host or a waiter. I know the menu like the back of my hand. I know all the wine pairings. I know how it should be cooked. However, I’m not the chef. The tailors are the chefs. They’re the ones that are doing the work … And that’s an area that we’re growing. We’re creating apprenticeship programs for young tailors that want to learn the trade and using our store as a quasi-school to continue that (craft) because that’s our longevity. That’s one of the key factors that separates us from other businesses like ours.”

But the beloved haberdashery offers more than just tailoring. It’s now a complete menswear one-stop shop with bespoke clothing and suiting available. “I’m here to help you dress well,” says Manno, who joined the family business seven years ago. “No matter what you do, we always need to present ourselves in the best possible way for our environment and for the audience that we’re in front of. So, we do a variety of business professional, business casual, formal wear, and resort attire.”

And of course, they also offer suiting for grooms and their groomsmen – and even alternations for bridal gowns, too! “When it comes to our weddings, you’re coming to see me because you’re focused on the wedding day, but we also like to talk about the wedding wardrobe,” Manno says. From rehearsal dinner to brunch, send offs and the honeymoon, weddings can be much more than a weekend, Manno notes. “I’m not trying to necessarily make a sale on all those things, but I do want to bring it to people’s attention to say, hey, remember, we do need to dress well for that brunch the next day.”

Ensuring the groom stands out is another top priority for Manno and his team. “How are we going to separate you as the groom? When you’re mingling throughout the evening, can people always find you, as the groom? You never have to worry about the bride, but oftentimes the groom can really blend in. We want to make sure that the groom is standing out, so how do we do that? Are we wearing something different? Are we making something that is so unique, it’s going to be impossible to miss you?”

When it comes time to choosing your look, each groom and his groomsmen can expect the highest level of service – including a private fitting with catering and cocktails. “I’m not just trying to get people in and out of the door. We don’t offer rentals. We do that intentionally because we think renting is a poor investment. Ultimately, I want to give each of them a phenomenal experience that they’ll remember, and they’ll want to come back to me maybe for their wedding … It’s not just ‘hey, go pick up your suit.’ No, it’s like let’s get to know you. Let’s take proper measurements. Let’s get this marked up. We’re going to ensure that it fits properly and while we’re doing that, you guys are just hanging out, enjoying one another’s company.”

That type of devotion to customers and service is why Manno Clothing & Tailoring continues to grow and be cherished. So much so, that this spring the boutique is moving to a larger location in Plymouth. “We’ve had very humble beginnings to what we are now. From only offering tailoring services to now offering a complete menswear store, custom clothing, alterations for men and women, consultations, and offsite fittings,” Manno says. “It’s grown quite a bit, and I was very grateful my grandparents got to see me working here before they both passed. That was a big honor for me, and I’m very happy to carry on their legacy.”

For more information, visit mannoclothing.com