Leon Tailoring Co., an icon of Indianapolis retail, closing after 120-year run

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34 thoughts on “Leon Tailoring Co., an icon of Indianapolis retail, closing after 120-year run

    1. I first became their customer when I rented my tux and the groomsmen for my wedding. I was in outside sales and became a customer of their amazing custom-made suits. They had the best connections in the United Kingdom as they had the best woolens ever! Sadly, my need for suits dwindled when businesses went to business casual in the era of logos on sports shirts and polos.

      Norm took care of me more so than Larry. I loved his humor and how he picked out the best yard goods and beautiful ties.

      You will be missed, Larry and Norman! I wish you all the best in your retirement!

    1. Did you read the story? They’re both in their 80s and said business was good but there was no one in the next generation of the family who wanted to take on the business.

    2. Not remotely saying that is why, but wondering if it was a factor. They lost the Penn st on-ramp to 65/70 and they were vocal about how it inconvenienced their customers. It was a news story at the time

    1. They’re a piece of something alright. My father bought a suit there as his first purchase following his return from WWII. In 1986, I walked in as a young professional with a Hart Shaffner Marx ready-made suit to have it altered. Norman said “when you want a NICE suit sometime, let me know.” I never went back after such an insult. I migrated to bespoke a few years later and bought a lot of bespoke suits over the next 40 years…but not from them.

    2. Thin skin I would say…Guessing it was “tongue in cheek” and someone got their feelings hurt.

    3. LOL. Stephen carrying a 40 year grudge. I guess you showed them!! I’m also guessing you haven’t bought that many suits. Either way, they survived your army of one boycott

    1. This is a Hoosier Institution. I went in today to buy a new suit. This is the best place for menswear; it is an icon of Indianapolis! Best to Larry & Norman, et al.

  1. The made several custom suits for my husband. Perfect fit every time. True customer service and attention to detail. Their craftsmanship and customer service will be sorely missed.

  2. Larry helped me with a suit when my father passed over 20 years ago. Even though the style has changed a bit I still have it as the tailoring was impeccable. The best in the business! Thank you for sharing your family’s craft with our city for so many years.

  3. Another ‘chunk’ of timeless craftsmanship, genteel business and class sadly fading away. Indy is down to only a very few iconic operations like Stout’s and Shapiro’s. Like the 1930’s-40’s movie intermission shorts, ‘The Passing Parade’. An indelible hole in the city’s history. Best wishes.
    I guess everyone is now left with ‘off the rack’.

  4. Larry and Norm, Best of luck and enjoy your retirement. You both deserve it! I have had numerous pieces made over the years and they were all great. I wish I was in town to personally wish you both the best. You both and your business will be greatly missed!

    Tom Barry

  5. I had the suit in which I was married made there 31 years ago. It was kind of a timeless Cary Grant-ish double breasted suit jacket with pleated cuffed pants in a dark grayish brown in black plaid stripes. I hadn’t worn it for years because I’d put on too much weight, but kept planning to see if they could let it out. Then I retired, lost 10 pounds and now I’m wearing it again. Still love it!

  6. I thought two bespoke suits from them in 2019 and they literally fell apart in the first 5 wears.

    Took it back and they just gave me my money back and apologized.

  7. I first bought from them in the 90’s then after about a 20 year absence, I was in a panic because I procrastinated buying a suit for my son’s upcoming wedding and I knew nothing off-the-rack would fit. Then I remembered…Leon’s! A week later, Norm had solved my problem and I arrived with the perfect suit! Great tailoring blended with their dry sense of humor and bit of sardonic wit made this a local institution that will be sorely missed. Congrats on a great run Norm and Larry, may you have a peaceful and joyful retirement.

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