Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Chay.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joe. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve been in sales my entire life and I’ve done it all, honestly– Kirby vacuums, fine gold and jewelry, cars, selling art in Europe door-to-door, but over 10 years ago, I found my life’s passion in selling custom clothing. At Astor & Black I consistently lead monthly sales at a national level, outselling over 100 clothiers. I also recruited, trained and managed new clothiers, worked alongside the cofounder making executive decisions, and created solid relationships with uber high-end clientele and who looked to me for style advice. In 2010 A&B sold $20.8M in custom clothing. I personally sold $1.8M of that while leading a sales team that sold $5.5M. In total, I was involved, either directly or indirectly, for 1/3rd of our sales that year.
After the 7 years of exponential growth from A&B, a major private equity firm, that valued the brand at a whopping $42M, purchased a majority stake of the company. Shortly after the buy-out, I realized they had no idea what they were doing, especially in such a niche retail market that is the custom clothing industry. I had to get out! In 2012 I left and started my own custom clothing line, Bello Verde– same concept, new beginning. Which ended up being a pretty savvy move, as Astor & Black filed for bankruptcy only 2 years later. In Jan 2014 though, I purchased Astor & Black back out of bankruptcy including ALL the assets; the name, the clothing, the website, the brand recognition, and have breathed new life into a company and product that has been sought out by so many.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not always, but I think that’s what you sign up for when trying to create your own company as well as resurrect a well-known brand. Many clients were not happy with the abrupt closure of Astor & Black. They had built these relationships with clothiers and trusted the quality of a product that was no longer available to them and they were frustrated. It was a major effort to contact these guys and let them know we were back and, to be honest, better than we had ever been before.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Astor & Black Custom Clothiers story. Tell us more about the business.
Astor & Black produces high-end, custom suits, sport coats, pants, overcoats, tuxedos, and shirts as well as offering a full line of ready to wear accessories including shoes, belts, pocket squares, ties, sweaters and anything else you may need to complete your personalized look. But this isn’t just about “shopping”. We connect you with one of our highly trained custom clothiers to help you understand a wardrobe and design clothing that matches your personal taste and lifestyle. It’s a luxury service that offers the convenience of our team coming to meet you, whether that’s in your home or office. But we do also have a convenient location downtown, if that’s something you’re more comfortable with.
As the owner, I am most proud of the product. And isn’t that the way it should be? Our garments are top of the line and I’ve built such fantastic relationships with our manufacturers and cloth providers that I am able to offer this superior quality at a highly reasonable price. Each garment is fully canvassed and comes with a multitude of custom options like contrast stitching, functional buttonholes, custom linings, your name embroidered inside the jacket, and the ability to style it any way you like. We work with some of the most sought after name brands in fabric like Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Scabal, Dormeuil, and more. And then there’s the most important aspect, the fit. Because that’s why you’re here in the first place. It’s custom made for you! Our clothiers take up to 28 unique measurements on your body and each garment pattern is cut to those exact specifications. You’re purchasing a garment that is made especially for you. A garment that can move with you, feel great wearing it all day, and boost your confidence because you know you look like a million bucks.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve been very lucky throughout my business ventures. It was a huge leap of faith to spend my own money to purchase Astor & Black, and I’m thankful it’s worked out so well. Honestly, I’m lucky for the people I’ve encountered over the years that have helped me achieve my goals. My clients were a major reason I broke off to start my own brand. This isn’t just a transaction for me, it’s more about innumerable relationships I’ve built through this opportunity. David Morra, my friend and Astor & Black’s Master Clothier here in Boston, has played a major role in building our brand and recognition back up in this city. He’s been in the custom menswear business for 10 years and a part of the company from its earlier days of rapid growth. I have complete faith in him and his ability to service a major city like Boston. That’s not something I take lightly and it’s because we have built this repertoire over our 10 years of working together.
Pricing:
- Custom made, full canvass suits from $699-$5,000+
- 3 Suits, 3 Shirts, 3 Ties starting at $2,495
Contact Info:
- Address: 268 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210 - Website: www.astorandblack.com
- Phone: 614.365.3000
- Email: info@astorandblack.com
- Instagram: @astorandblack
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astorandblack
- Twitter: @astorandblack
- Other: www.astorandblack.com/contact-us
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
