Our story
A lifetime of tailoring, from Seoul to Portland.
The Sewing Shop is a family business built on years of tailoring experience and personal service.
1968
Learning the craft
I began tailoring in South Korea in 1968. At the time, there was a large demand for custom-made suits and dresses.
I left the countryside at age 14 and moved to Seoul to become an apprentice tailor. After years of hard work and study, I learned how to make suits and other garments from scratch for customers with many different body shapes.
Family & a new beginning
Building a life together
After I married my wife, who had started seamstressing at age 16, we opened our first tailoring and alterations shop in Young Chun, Korea. Business was good, but after our son was born we decided to immigrate to the United States in 1983 to create better opportunities for our family.
We lived in Florida for a short time before settling in Portland, Maine, where we had relatives. Our early years in Maine were difficult. We could not speak English and worked several jobs to support our family, but we stayed together and kept moving forward.
Maine became home
From garment manufacturing to our own shop
The longer we stayed in Maine, the more we appreciated the beautiful landscape, clean air and friendliness of the people.
Between 1985 and 1993, I worked as head supervisor at John Roberts Inc., a clothing manufacturer for retailers including Brooks Brothers, L.L. Bean and Jones New York. The job gave me valuable experience, but we still hoped to open another alterations shop of our own.
In 1993, we took that chance and opened The Sewing Shop. We have been proud to serve our customers ever since.
Visit The Sewing Shop
We would be happy to help with your garment.
215 Prospect Street · Portland, Maine 04103