Generations of Style: Dressing the Men of Doylestown

By: Lindsay Gordon, Photography by Michael Brooks

From a young age, Frank Ventresca has been intrigued by the men’s custom clothing business. Domenic Silvestri, Frank’s grandfather, immigrated to the Doylestown area from Italy back in the 1930’s. Frank was born in 1957, and would go to his Grandfather’s shop in the early 1960’s and watch him and his father make custom clothing for the gentleman of Doylestown at Doylestown Tailoring Company.

Frank explains, “I grew up in a family of businessmen and tailors. So as soon as I graduated high school in 1975, I would go to work for my father.”

After a period of time working with his family and learning the business, Frank decided to venture out on his own. In October of 1981, Frank opened his first custom-made clothing store in Jenkintown.

“I have always been impressed and fascinated with business, so I knew this was a great direction for me to go,” Frank explains.

Ventresca’s Ltd. in Jenkintown continued to expand. At first they were focused on custom-made clothing and men’s formalwear, but then started to delve into ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, sports-wear, denim and casual clothing. Frank grew his business in Jenkintown for 25 years prior to moving to the Doylestown area in the summer of 2006.

What separates Ventresca’s Ltd. from the other men’s clothing stores in the area? “Consistency, representing and standing by our product, inventory and selection, tailoring, and our exceptional customer service,” Frank explains.

“Majority of the staff in the tailor shop has been trained in Europe. Both the sales staff and tailors have been with me for 10 to 27 years.” When visiting Ventresca’s Ltd. you can count on quality clothing, quality workmanship, and the overall experience to create a harmony that just pulls everything together.

In addition to their superior customer service and workmanship, their inventory allows them to dress a wedding party in a time crunch. “We have had people come into our store after going to a chain operation where the suit or tuxedo they ordered doesn’t fit right and they need something, fast. By the way, the wedding is tomorrow!” Frank laughs.

“When this happens, it is no problem. We have the inventory and the services to turn around quality looking clothing and fit while you wait in the store.” With over 30 styles of tuxedos, hundreds of accessories and the largest men’s footwear selection in the Delaware Valley, Ventresca’s Ltd. is prepared for all of your prom, special events, and wedding day needs. Frank explains, “When someone has a special event, wedding, or prom, and it has to be just right, that is what our job is! That is what we do.”

Ventresca’s Ltd. also takes a lot of pride in the community they live in and love to give back to charities that are important to their loyal customers. “We are very supportive of our customers just like they are supportive of our business. We love to be active in the community. It is our way of giving back and saying thank you.”