The catering and events industry is one of the most demanding and consistent lines of work.
Through interviews with M. Stein Tuxedo’s and Blossom & Basket Boutique, two local businesses, I was able to gain a greater understanding of the industry and how their owners began in the business.
M. Stein Tuxedos has been in business since 1906 and the Russo’s became the third owners in 1999.
I asked Ginny Russo from M. Stein Tuxedo’s how she got started in the tuxedo business and she said, “Darryl [Ginny’s husband] has been involved with the National Capital area Grand Lodge of Free Masonry since age 12 – including holding the title of Grand Master of the Hiram-Takoma Lodge. Grand Masons wear tuxedos to their meetings and ceremonies. A mentor in the Masons, who owned M. Stein, was looking to retire and asked Darryl if he would be interested in taking over the business. It was a natural fit and in 1998 Darryl began working at M. Stein and purchased the business in 1999.”
When I asked Rene Bonde Shiffler, one of the owners of Blossom & Basket Boutique the same question, she said that she, “started with taking a floral design class at South Carroll High School, Then classes through 4H and FFA, then college at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, PA receiving a degree in floriculture and marketing,” and she started in the business in 2001 as a sophomore at Delaware Valley University by coming home on weekends and summer breaks to work.
Shiffler said that one of the most unique events that Blossom & Basket Boutique has decorated for is, “the Starry Night Ball, Carroll Community College Foundation’s major fundraising event, each December. We transform the Great Hall of the college into an elegant party space.”
In addition, she said that her favorite part of the wedding/event industry is, “the artistry of taking a dream/vision and making it happen.”
Russo said that her favorite part of the industry is, “really getting to know our customers, helping to bring their vision, with regards to formal wear, come to fruition and seeing the happiness on their faces with not only their attire, but our level of service & commitment.”
When asked about the most unique or unusual request M. Stein Tuxedo has had, Russo said, “Having originally been based in Washington, DC we’ve had the opportunity to be a part of many unique and/or unusual requests. An example of unique would be the experience of Obama’s first Inauguration in DC. There were a tremendous amount of people who traveled to be a part of the events leading up to Inauguration Day – including Magic Johnson. We provided his tuxedo for the main Inaugural Ball. Unusual requests – 2 years ago, Mike Rowe, from the TV show Dirty Jobs, was in DC for a Christmas fashion shoot. His photographer contacted us to provide a tuxedo – specifically one that did NOT fit. The shot they used for the publication they did was Mike Rowe seated, in pants way too short, wearing 4″ high heels.”
Aside from work, both Russo and Shiffler informed me of what they enjoy to do in their free time. Shiffler said, “I love to read, spend time with my husband, and spend time with our nephews and nieces.” Russo shared, “Both Darryl and I enjoy golf. We have 2 children. A boy, age 10, who has autism and a girl, age 4. We spend most of our free time with our children, tending to their needs and their extracurricular activities. But, when we do have a random spare moment, during the week and in warm weather, we steal some time to play 9 holes of golf.”
Both companies have a long basis of business and truly enjoy the work that they do for customers to create the ultimate event and bring their vision to life.
WRITTEN BY: Lindsay Green Bauman
