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Friday, July 25, 2003
A moment with ... Leroy Shumate, retailer of 'flashy' menswear
Leroy Shumate says his store is the only place in town where pimps can buy their work clothes.
The owner of Leroy Menswear, at 204 Pike St., doesn't mind admitting that those flashy dressers brought him plenty of business in the days when prostitutes lined Pike Street from the market all the way to Interstate 5.
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 | Mike Urban / P-I | |
| Leroy Shumate's store, Leroy Menswear on Pike Street, has modified its clientele over time. Now musicians and promgoers buy his colorful duds. | ||
But now, "most of them are in jail. It's a lost art," he lamented during a visit earlier this week.
Fortunately, musicians and promgoers also crave items such as a 12-button bright purple suit ($195, including alterations), oversized rhinestone cuff links, bright-green leather shoes, knee-high yellow silk socks, bowler hats, leather suits and ankle-length fake fur coats. So Shumate's business still thrives.
A warmhearted Tacoma native who greets many customers by name, Shumate, 60, has owned Leroy Menswear since 1980.
Do pimps really buy this stuff?
Yeah! Oh, I used to do a lot of pimp business. They're all gone now, pretty much all in jail. One guy used to spend easy $10,000 a year here -- easy. They bragged about (their livelihood). The whole idea is flash.
Speaking of flash, this suit looks as if it would burst into flame if it came near a match.
It's a rayon/polyester blend. It dry-cleans really good, and it holds color. And most of it is made in America.
How do you keep the business going now?
We did a commercial recently that brought in a phenomenal prom business. Kids from all over -- white and black. We try to keep the prices under $300 on everything.
Who famous has been in here?
We sold to Kenny G. George Benson came in and invited me to his concert. The drummer from Pearl Jam came in. (Former) world champion kick-boxer Maurice Smith came in.
Is this a good business for you?
I'll never get rich, but I make good money. I live in a nice house on a lake, in Edgewood.
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