Masonic Supply Shop Comes To Springfield Avenue

The multi-talented and engaging Tony E. Davis of Maplewood’s National Embroidery & Apparel has been in his new shop at 1703 Springfield Avenue, near the corner of Tuscan, for about six weeks.  

The entrepreneurial Davis is a designer, inventor and a Master Mason.  He is also an embroidery and costume expert who makes and markets custom uniforms, regalia, dresses, sashes, collars, hats, jackets—you name it—for local Free Masons and for those across the U.S, as well as selling Masonic "jewels," emblems and patches and books.

Since our somewhat unclear ideas of Free Masons were mainly formed by movies like “National Treasure” and various novels, we were happy to have Davis’ mini-lesson on the group. 

“Freemasonry” he explained, “isn’t a religion, it’s a society that’s open to anyone who wants to join.”  There is a women’s organization associated with Masonry, which is called ‘The Order of the Eastern Star’.   

“Another Mason division is the Shriners," he said.  The Shriners wear elaborate costumes  and hats (some of which are made by Davis). They march in parades and raise funds for their network of 22 pediatric non-profit hospitals across North America that provide specialty care at no charge to the patients and their families.

He explained that the group was called  “‘Free Masons’ because the men who belonged to brick layers guild were free to move around medieval Europe working on churches and cathedrals.”  Eventually this trade group evolved into a kind of fraternity with its own symbols and signs—some of which you can see on the back of today’s dollar bills—the unfinished pyramid and the ‘all-seeing eye’ are both Masonic symbols and included on currency to honor the founding fathers, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, who were Free Masons.

Davis uses computer programs for design and many creations are completed in the well-stocked, back-of-the-shop workspace. Trophy design and other engraving work is done there, too.  For really big jobs, Davis has a team of seamstresses, silk screeners and sewers who work off-site.

Stop by and say hello, you might find just the item that you didn’t know you were looking for.  In addition to Masonic supplies, Davis also designs and creates “Greek” logo paraphernalia, hats, outerwear, t-shirts and sweatshirts, etc, for Sororities and Fraternities.

And if that’s not enough, Davis developed a line of decorative accessories called "Foot Jewels."  Now, his current brain-child is a unique, logo-designed, car-headrest cover. His dream is to bring the cover to the new Mark Burnett ("Survivor" producer) reality show "Shark Tank" and sell the sharks on the idea of funding his invention.

National Embroidery & Apparel, 1703 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood. 973-762-0041.  Plenty of on-street parking.  www.unitedembroidery4U.com