Valentino Tailors first opened its doors in 1969 at 1213 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, CT in a small store front near the Strand movie theatre. 

Although, the true story began long before... in the small town of Puglianello, Benevento, Italy. At the young age of 17, and after having learned his trade as a apprentice in a nearby town, Vincenzo Valentino opened the doors to his very own tailor shop. The year was 1930 and in those days, sewing machines were powered by foot pedals and irons were heated by filling them with hot coals. Most women sewed clothing for their families, and a tailor made suit was considered a luxury and a symbol of wealth. 

The town was small and the people were poor. Clients would often pay for their clothing with livestock or bread. In this same tailor shop, Antonio Valentino learned his trade from his father. Times were tough in the small town and Antonio would soon leave home in search of opportunity. His quest led him to Switzerland where he worked in a suit factory and began earning enough money to send home to his family. 

He then had the opportunity to come to America where he worked as a custom tailor at renowned New Haven suit factory Fenn & Feinstein. He gradually learned to speak English, and with his work in demand at the factory, he soon gained the confidence to open a tailor shop of his own. Antonio successfully ran the business with the help of his wife Carmel until 2006, when his son Enzo joined, making it a third generation family business.

In 2022, Enzo and his wife Alicia moved the business to Grand Avenue in New Haven, something they had hoped for many years.  With a new location and more space, came additional retail offerings and an elevated experience for their clients.  They continue to run the business with the same high level of skill, service and pride, and welcoming all customers like they are family.  



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