Owners of a Clinton County business bring new life, local goods to the longstanding shop
In February 2023, I visited some old stomping grounds to meet with the owners of an established Trenton business.
When I met Jessica and Paolo Guazzini, they were the brand new owners of Jim’s Suits & Tuxedos, located at 13 W. Broadway.
When the Guazzinis took ownership of the longtime business, they had many plans in mind for the future of the store.
Now, more than a year later, their vision is a reality.
From the storefront through the front of the store and to the back, the place has been completely transformed and looks amazing.
“We gave the place a full facelift,” said Jessica Guazzini.
They most certainly did because Wow! The place looks fantastic!
The building’s facade went from multiple shades of taupe to a dark blue that makes the shop stand out on Trenton’s main drag. The Jim’s Suits & Tuxedos logo was added to each of the front windows.
The upper level of the building was painted a grayish white, and the windows have dark blue trim. A new door installed at a currently unused entrance to the right was painted pink and stands out against the blue.
The Mister Penguin Tuxedo sign once mounted to the facade is gone (and will be given a place of prominence inside the shop at a later date).
Big plans brought to life
I knew from last year’s interview that the Guazzinis had big plans for the interior, but upon entering, I couldn’t believe the transformation.
The space at the front of the shop previously had glass shelving along one of the walls, very similar to the men’s dress shirts sections at many department stores. The opposite wall had racks for hanging shirts and jackets and some shelving.
Everything was some shade of brown.
During the building’s 7-month renovation, these shelves and racks were removed.
New wall paneling and wainscoting were installed, the top painted white and the lower part, including the chair rails, are a light shade of taupe. The ceiling consists of decorative white tile with recessed lighting and a few hanging light fixtures.
The front counter is a repurposed counter. It’s very retro, as are the chairs and little tables in the front window areas.
In the much brighter shop space are standing shelves and tables that display a variety of goods in the general store the Guazzinis wanted to incorporate at Jim’s.
Displays are marked with vendor signage and include soaps and personal care products, snacks, greeting cards, pet items, candles, jewelry and wedding-themed goods.
They wanted the front, their mercantile space, to have something for everybody. Most of the goods are locally made from places like Trenton, New Baden, Highland, Glen Carbon and Troy.
People here are looking for opportunities to shop local, and customers say they’d rather shop local, according to Jessica.
Jim’s still offers a whole lot of Wesclin spiritwear (and some Mater Dei gear too), which can be found at the back of the retail space.
Multiple T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and tumblers are available.
There’s a wall mural, painted by a high school art student, that adds a “fun pop of color,” said Jessica.
It’s also an opportunity for clients to take selfies with fun little signs that say, “I found my look at Jim’s …” or “Mr.” and “Mrs.”
The new look at the front of the shop is impressive, but the changes to the rest of the building blew me away.
Rediscovering the past
A 7-month renovation uncovered some buried treasure at 13 W. Broadway.
During the demo of a side room slated to become a new fitting room, the construction team uncovered some windows and gorgeous brick walls.
The doorway to the room has an arch that gives the space even more character.
Window panes were replaced and the brick left exposed. The brick wall between the fitting rooms and the sitting area now has a window that makes the spaces feel bigger.
The three stalls in the fitting area are spacious and include benches and large mirrors. The wallpaper on the wall behind the stalls has a decorative pattern in blue, green and gold.
The walls separating the stalls are dark blue, as are the curtains to each space.
The back of the shop harkens back to mid-20th century, the 1960s, traditional Jim’s, according to Jessica.
The sitting area and the consultation room each have plenty of seating for prom and bridal parties to spend time during measurements and fittings.
The couches, chairs, sideboard, side tables, lamps, the light fixtures … Everything is vintage and fun. Combined, the pieces look like they were made for the space. (I love the furniture and kind of want to live there.)
The shop’s vibe is cool and comfortable without being overly fancy. It’s inviting.
It’s all about the details, people.
Jessica said that all of the work was done by C. Kehrer Construction, based in New Baden.
They were wonderful, she said. With seven months of construction, they were here a lot.
“We had a vision, and they made it happen,” she said.
Embracing the changes
Jessica and Paolo celebrated the shop’s grand reopening earlier this month, and the turnout was good.
Everyone has been incredibly supportive, including Jim’s Formal Wear.
Jim’s Formal Wear is based in Trenton and serves more than 5,000 shops – menswear, bridal stores and other formal wear retailers, including Jim’s Suits & Tuxedos.
. Jessica said their shop is just one of many retailers for Jim’s Formal Wear, and she feels the importance of their location, which is on the same street in the same town. She often calls Jim’s Formal Wear’s customer service for guidance in assisting clients to the best of their abilities.
“Being from here, I was nervous about changing an institution,” Jessica said of her shop, which first opened in 1922 as the Davis Family Clothing Store. “We have not heard anything negative.”
“It’s been really wonderful, special for me,” she said.
About Jim’s Suits & Tuxedos
Founded by Leo Davis, the Davis Family Clothing store provided “quality clothing and accessories for men and boys,” according to the Jim’s Formal Wear website.
After Davis’ death in 1954, the business was taken over by his son, Jim Davis, who renamed it Jim’s Men’s and Boys’ Shop. Jim and his brother Allan Davis ran the store from there.
In 1964, Jim Davis and his wife Betty opened Jim’s Formal Wear, which is located at 804 E. Broadway in Trenton.
Allan Davis and his family continued to run Jim’s Men’s and Boys’ as a separate business until 1988 when it was sold to Mark and Barb Lockowitz. Thirty-five years later, the Lockowitzes retired, selling the business to the Guazzinis.
Jim’s Suits & Tuxedos is located at 13 W. Broadway in Trenton.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Appointments are available. The shop is closed Sunday and Tuesday.
For information and updates, call 618-224-9322, visit jimstrenton.com or follow on Facebook or Instagram.
