BY CHRISTINE LEE

POTTSVILLE — When city resident Joseph Drasdis III opened Drasdis & Son, his new men’s clothing boutique, the customers weren’t the only ones ecstatic about it.

“Our neighbors are happy we took a building that was empty for several years and put a business in,” he said.

The 1,300-square-foot store at 125 W. Market St. opened to the public last Thursday.

It offers formal suits, ties, casual shirts and pullovers.

Casual clothing brands carried are Normal, Flag & Anthem, Double Dog Dungarees and Goodwear, and formal brands are Robert Amerigo, Tiglio and Polifroni. He additionally sells Mission belts.

While its regular hours haven’t been determined, Drasdis, 25, said it feels “great” to finally be open for business.

“This whole project took a year to do,” he said. “It was a year of hard work to get the building where it is now.”

Drasdis said customers are happy not to drive an hour away for quality clothing.

“Everyone loves it so far,” he said, adding the name gives the store “an old town feel.”

LINDSEY SHUEY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Joseph Drasdis III shows the casual wear section of Drasdis & Son, the men’s clothing store that opened last week in Pottsville. It also offers formal clothing.

 

Despite being a men’s clothing store, Drasdis said a fair number of women have come into the store to shop not only for their husbands or boyfriends, but for themselves.

He plans to launch a marketing campaign featuring women to inform them they too can shop at the store, as some of the clothes can be worn by men and women.

Drasdis runs the business’ day-to-day operations, assisted by his father, Joseph Drasdis II, Pottsville, who works part time at the store.

They purchased the building, which was previously home to Pottsville Bike and Board, in December 2019.

The younger Drasdis expects his father, who works in information technology, will work full time with him at the store after he retires.

Since opening, Drasdis said he has been welcomed with flowers from Murphy Jewelers, 115 W. Market St., and Pod & Petal, 17 N. Centre St. In addition, Roma Pizzeria & Restaurant at 116 W. Market St. and Wheel Restaurant at 201 W. Market St. welcomed the business in posts on their Facebook pages.

With the coronavirus pandemic going on, Drasdis said he is asking customers to wear face masks.

LINDSEY SHUEY / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jeans are among the items available at Drasdis & Son, a new men’s clothing store in Pottsville

 

Also, hand sanitizer sits on the checkout counter and if customers aren’t comfortable coming in, he will Facetime with them and show the store’s selections, which can be done by sending a message to the store’s Facebook page.

In addition, he does an “outfit of the day” on the business’ Facebook page and Instagram accounts.

Drasdis & Son joins two longtime men’s clothing stores in downtown Pottsville: Bohorad’s at 6 N. Centre St., which has operated since 1923, and Roma Tailors at 308 W. Market St., in business since 1964.

“We’re happy to be a part of downtown Pottsville,” Drasdis said. “There’s a lot of great things happening here we’re very excited about.”

A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for early next year.

Contact the writer: clee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6028