Washington BID cites Frantoni’s
for over 25 years of service

For over 25 years (technically 26) Frantoni Fashions for Men has been a staple in downtown Washington. At their November meeting, the Board of Directors of the Washington Business Improvement District (WBID), citing the store’s long-time success, honored the owners with a certificate of appreciation.

Frantoni’s opened in 1979, although the business actually dates back to its original store in Rockaway, which opened in 1972. The Rockaway store eventually moved to Morris Plains in 1988. In 1991, the then three partners split the stores, with Tony Strillacci and Bob Sarlitt taking over the Washington business. The Morris Plains store has since closed.

Strillacci refers to Frantoni’s, a full-service men’s shop, as a dinosaur. “We are the last of a breed,” he said. “We are the only private men’s store in Hunterdon and Warren counties. All the other stores like this have been eaten up by the chains.”

Offering quality men’s clothing, from socks to shoes to suits and tuxedos, Frantoni’s enjoys a loyal following from throughout the region.

“We’ve lasted because we draw from a very, very large radius,” said Strillacci. “They come from all over. They come because they know they can get tailored clothes here. And they know that just because a style they want might not be available in their size, they can still get it. We special order a tremendous amount of clothing.”

Strillacci, who has been in the men’s clothing business for 43 years, notes that while times have changed, the clothing hasn’t changed as much as you would think.

“Clothing just evolves,” he said. “There are always new fashions, new looks, but almost always they are based on familiar fashions. The one big difference is that clothing can be more eclectic than in the past.”

For more information about Frantoni Fashions for Men, call 908-689-5477. To learn more about the WBID, phone the WBID office, 689-4800, or visit www.washingtonbid.org.