By TIM LANDIS (tim.landis@sj-r.com),THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER<,Posted Aug 13, 2011
Skip Costa has early economic data on the ripple effects from June’s opening of Springfield’s Scheels sporting goods store. Designer jeans alterations are running five or six pair a day.
Costa is the owner-manager of ROY’S ALTERATIONS & CUSTOM TAILORS, which has been in business since 1966 on MacArthur Boulevard. Costa has owned the shop, now at 2326 S. MacArthur, since 1982.
Costa said his work with Scheels began with a business card months before the store opened. It so happens one of the local apparel managers was from Springfield, and when customers began asking about having jeans altered, Roy’s came to mind. “Scheels gives them their card and our card, and we do the alterations for them,” said Costa. “They (Scheels) pay for the alteration. It’s free for the customer.” The jeans are not your hanging-around variety. In most cases, the sale price is $95 and up. The alteration cost also is higher.
“It’s been a nice addition to the business,” said Costa, who shared his story with last week’s monthly meeting of the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association. He said he even had to create a special alteration process to handle the high-end jeans coming in from Scheels. “Shortening jeans is one thing,” said Costa. “Shortening them so they don’t look like they’ve been shortened is another.” He said the process allows for removal and replacement of the existing hem. It also can maintain the “frayed” look if needed.
The MACARTHUR BOULEVARD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION is looking into creation of a foundation to help raise funds for boulevard redevelopment. Association president Debbie Cimarossa told last week’s association meeting that some of the legal requirements still are being worked out, but the effort is on.