Business Q&A: Advance Formal Wear

Advance Formal Wear has been a mainstay in Rockville Centre for more than 60 years, but its offerings are constantly being updated under the ownership of Brian Upton. Here, Upton tells us about the latest products and service that his customers will find in the store.

What can customers expect to find in your store?

We specialize in renting and selling tuxedos, but we’ve recently started renting out business suits as well. This comes in very handy for customers who need a suit for a special occasion, like a bar mitzvah, first communion or christening. 

Tell us a bit about the store’s history.

The store actually opened in 1947 and I'm the fourth owner. I took over in early February and we’ve given the whole store a facelift over the past few months. The building is being renovated inside and out. This has never been done before. We’re trying to modify the store to keep everything up-to-date.

What makes RVC an ideal location for Advance Formal Wear?

Well, I've been in Rockville Centre my whole life. I went to school at St. Agnes and I got married there as well. We’re located on Sunrise Highway, right near the Long Island Railroad station, so it’s convenient for people who work in the city or people are going into the city for formal events that they may need a tuxedo for.

Do you offer any special services for your customers?

My brother and I are expert tailors and our store is fully stocked. Because we tailor all the tuxes ourselves, we can provide same-day service for customers when needed.

What do you hope customers get out of their experience at your store?

We specialize in all parts of people’s lives, whether it's their wedding or an event at which they are being honored. We only have one shot to make them look great for these big events, so we want every suit that we put together to look perfect.