Franco’s wool blazer

FROM ITALY TO RICHMOND The Franco’s story began in Tuscany, Italy in 1946 when a young Franco Ambrogi learned to sew from his mother at the age of 6. After fifth grade, he left school to work in a tailor shop and by the young age of 15, emigrated to Richmond. As an experienced tailor who had already honed his craftsmanship, he worked for a small tailor shop for a number of years then was offered a position at a venerable southern department store chain and Richmond icon, Thalhimers. He later fetched up at the upscale specialty retailer Berry-Burk. By his early thirties, Franco had married his wife Ruth and had three small children. He began supplementing the family income by hand tailoring garments in his garage. He made custom-made suits charging around $125. He would spend evenings at his customers' homes, doing fittings and delivering garments. Franco quickly earned the reputation as one of Richmond's finest tailors, well-respected for his tailoring expertise, exceptional craftsmanship and friendly disposition. Franco's love of the personal service industry and desire to provide quality in every aspect of the customer experience fueled his passion to open his own clothing store. In 1972, Franco and Ruth opened the first Franco's store (photo below) just north of Richmond's city limits on Lakeside Avenue.