photo by steed media service

When Frank Harris opened his tailoring and alterations business 38 years ago, he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to balance his books and that passersby wouldn’t patronize his shop because of his color. But the day he opened, the heavens opened up and poured down blessings as numerous as the flakes in a snowstorm. And four decades later, the sky has yet to close up on Frank’s Alterations.

“I was scared to even open up my own business, because when I opened, I didn’t know how to make out a check,” he says, laughing at the memory. “When I opened the shop [on] the third day, I had too much business.” Frank’s Alterations strategically opened on Madison Avenue, sandwiched between department stores. Harris’ quick hands, working in concert with his sharp and talented mind, attracted a plethora of businesspeople and celebrities into his shop. The walls of his business on Roosevelt Avenue are covered with photos of recognizable faces that have visited. His labor of love and high quality of services have landed Harris in newspapers, magazines, and on radio and TV shows. Remaining humble, he says the key to success and longevity is in connecting with customers.

“[What] I enjoy most is dealing with people. I love to talk to people. I love to show what I can do, because most people, or a lot of people, who used to walk in my shop didn’t believe that I owned the shop,” he says, adding that his courteousness extends from customers to employees. “Make sure you treat people right, and you pay them,” Harris says, giving a bit of advice. “Don’t play with people’s money. I survived 37 years by that [rule]. My manager has been here for 35 years. I have two other tailors who’ve been here 27 years and 31 years.” – -terry shropshire

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