Link to Unedited Interview here
Link to package here
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- When it comes to looking your best for prom, a wedding or any other special event, Giovanni's Tuxedos in North Syracuse, is overflowing with suits, ties, cummerbunds, cuff links, vests, shoes and pocket squares in almost every color imaginable. The walls are lined with fabrics and samples of all textures displayedaround mannequins proudly displaying the latest tuxedos and suits.
The shop is a Syracuse area staple and has been in business since 1968, opened by Giovanni "John" Scuderi after he came to the United States from Italy.
"I get old"
Back in 2014, Scuderi decided it was time for him to retire but he wanted to make sure his life's work remained a family business.
"I get old," Scuderi laughs with a thick Italian accent. "So I decided to retire."
Proving blood isn't necessarily thicker than water, he sold the business to Syracuse Silver Knights Defender, Domenico Vitale, who had little experience in the tailoring world. Although he had already realized his dream of playing pro soccer, he knew he needed a plan or fallback for when he would no longer be able to play the game.
"Soccer is great," he says, "But you can never do that your whole life."
The apprentice owner
Originally, the plan was to have Scuderi help him learn the business for about a year, but that's now turned into three.
"I still help him," Scuderi says, "but he's learned very well, he's done very good."
Vitale says even though he had little experience, he felt is was the right move.
"I guess it's in my blood," he says smiling, noting that his grandfather was a tailor who used to work with Scuderi.
"I'm still learning, there's always something to learn like with any job," he says. "I think I got the most part done."
Changing seasons
Vitale said while balancing soccer and the business can be challenging at times, it works out because the busy seasons are opposite each other.
"Soccer is winding down now and our busy season is starting here with prom and balls," Vitale says. But above all he enjoys getting to fulfill both of his passions.
"That culture kind of runs in my blood. I had no choice. I had to play," Vitale says.
The Central New York native said he grew up playing soccer with family and friends. He said his parents realized he could go far with the sport when he was young so he started playing for club teams and traveling becoming a star at Cicero-North Syracuse in high school and during college at LeMoyne.
Now with soccer season over for a while, Vitale is fully focused on his business. He says it's nice that soccer and the busy season of the tuxedo shop don't overlap. And when things do get busy, he says he can always rely on Scuderi to give him an assist.
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