Students Don't Have to Go Far to Prep for Prom

With prom right around the corner, teens across Bloomfield - and across the country - have already begun the desperate search for the right date (first and foremost) and second, the right clothes.

As more cheaper tuxedos and dresses become available online, it's can be tempting for the thrifty parent to order duds that can be worn again in the future - rather than shell out the samolians for a rental. But as anyone who has tried to return an online purchase knows, sending dresswear back to be refitted can be pretty tough.

This is where local merchants really come to the rescue.

, which has been a family-owned business for three generations, started in 1955. Owner Victor Lewis knows a thing or two about running a local business. What he does to promote his business also promotes a bit of camaraderie in the community.

“I’ll usually take a sports player from a school that will stop in and ask about tuxedos and I’ll tell him, ‘If you’d like to earn yourself a free tuxedo, I’ll give you some coupon cards to hand out,'" Lewis explained. "The people you hand the cards to are going to be thrilled to death because they’ll get $10 off and if you can bring 10 guys in I’ll treat you to your tuxedo."

He said oftentimes teachers send to his shop students who can’t afford to rent a tux on their own. Lewis beamed when talking about the looks on the faces of the students when they find out their tux is free.

“It’s not going to change my lifestyle for one suit but it’s going to change their life tremendously,” he said.

Customers can enjoy the luxury of convenience all while helping out the local brick-and-mortar business on Bloomfield Avenue. Lewis said unlike some of the formal wear conglomerates, he keeps his tuxedos on the premises which means last-minute changes can be made quickly, rather than waiting a day while a store sends out an order to a warehouse.

But despite the unmatched service, Lewis has noticed a small decline as more students look online for cheaper alternatives.

His wife, Debbie Lewis, who manages , gets minimal prom business these days.

“It’s a huge investment because you never know what style the girls are going to go for," she said of the ever-changing fashion trends. "You don’t know if it’s going to be the season for short dresses, you don’t know if it’s going to be long, you don’t know if it’s going to be poufy, you don’t know if it’s going to be straight, slinky and sexy."

Bridal consultant Meaghan Black concurs: “Girls want what they want and they will run around to find that dress.”

The store currently carries prom dresses but works mainly with brides.

Louis Cinque, of America’s Best Limousines in Fairfield, has also seen a shift from limos to prom buses, which has made a difference in business. But Cinque does all he can to attract business during prom season. He offers one free hour added to an eight-hour package and two free hours for a 10-hour package if booked before May 1.

“We understand that the economy’s not good so we try to help as much as we possibly can,” said Cinque.

Lewis couldn’t agree more. “I think it’s a lost art that people want to try and help each other," he said.