A Richmond Tradition for Over 50 Years
The Franco’s Story: A Legacy of Menswear Excellence in Richmond, Virginia
The story of Franco’s Fine Clothier began in Tuscany, Italy, in 1946 when a young Franco Ambrogi learned to sew from his mother at just six years old. By fifth grade, he had left school to work in a tailor shop, and at only 15, he emigrated to Richmond, VA. Already a skilled tailor, Franco honed his craft at a small tailor shop before joining two Richmond icons—Thalhimers and the upscale specialty store Berry-Burk.
By his early thirties, Franco was married to his wife, Ruth, with three young children. Evenings were spent in his garage, hand-tailoring custom suits for about $125 each, personally visiting clients’ homes for fittings and delivery. His skill, attention to detail, and warm personality quickly earned him a reputation as one of Richmond’s finest tailors.
In 1972, Franco and Ruth opened their first men’s clothing store on Lakeside Avenue. By 1985, that modest storefront had expanded into a 35,000-square-foot destination featuring an in-house tailor shop and a marble-floored rotunda inspired by the Galleria in Milan. Today, the Lakeside store remains the company’s corporate headquarters and is home to a full tailor shop staffed by over half a dozen master tailors and skilled seamstresses. Franco himself still oversees the work and can often be found on the sales floor, greeting customers and offering advice.
Over the next three decades, Franco’s grew to meet the needs of a loyal and expanding customer base, opening locations in Richmond’s downtown financial district and in the Shoppes at Bellgrade. Today, Franco’s operates two stores—Short Pump Town Center and Lakeside Avenue—along with an online store offering select merchandise 24/7.
For more than a decade, Franco’s children have taken leadership roles: son-in-law Kevin Reardon and daughter Maria manage the Lakeside store, while son Mark Ambrogi oversees Short Pump. Together, they remain dedicated to the values Franco instilled—quality craftsmanship, personal service, and timeless style.
As Franco says, “My heart is still very young… Whether you are 100 years old or 15 years old, it makes no difference to me. I respect you, and I will do the work to make you look the way you should look.”
When the Quality Shows… it Must Be Franco’s.
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