Mom and Pop Tuxedo Shop Offers Advice on Dressing, Parties, Being Safe

Rick doesn't give out a last name because he's had high school boys look him up and call at midnight for the price of a tux.

He and his wife Ruth rent tuxedos for proms and weddings from a 45-year-old business at 8700 Gravois Road. Callahan's Tuxedo Company started out in St. Louis city.

He said there’s nothing better-looking than a black and white tuxedo, but most importantly the boy has to match his date's dress, which can be difficult.

"It’s hard to get young guys into pink," he said. "But I can because I put them in a black vest with a pink tie, and they match their date, and don’t feel like their manhood has been removed. They’re OK with that," Rick said.

He said there's a lot of psychology in the job. He said guys come in with their moms, who have their own ideas about what their son should wear.

Rick said he tells the boy, "That's your mommy, I'm your daddy," and gives the guys the straight scoop.

"A lot of them have parties afterwards. I tell them how to take the precautions afterwards. Take it off, put it in a bag, put your party clothes on," he tells the guys.

"We’re here just to wish them well and be safe," he said. "That’s what they’ve got to hear when they’re walking out. So many kids get hurt that night, and we don’t want our customers getting hurt."

Rick said the shop has a large inventory, so guys can come in and try on the exact coat they'll be wearing, which is half the sale. He said they dress dress guys from the city to Seckman and north and south.

"We want our customers have a great time. Then they end up going to college and coming back for prom because their girlfriend may have been a junior.