A Southwest Michigan business icon that was so famous it was even featured in Hollywood’s blockbuster movie The Hangover will, sadly, not be able to recover from the hangover affect of the coronavirus pandemic…closing their doors permanently, effective immediately.
Alexa Claire Boutique and Tux Shop in Southtown St. Joseph has ceased operations today, taking a direct hit from the Covid-19 quarantine which has impacted proms, Spring, Summer, and Fall weddings, and the future of large, formal events. With that backdrop forming a questionable future, the owners, the Fetters family, have made the business decision to close the formalwear business completely, but the formalwear business only.
Inasmuch as they also own and operate all local Sanitary Cleaners locations, the family wants to make it crystal clear that the dry-cleaning business will absolutely remain open for business and are not affected by the formalwear decision. The Fetters family will be concentrating on their primary business at Sanitary Cleaners and have been working on new and exciting things to come in that realm.
Formerly known as The Tux Shop, the business was established in nearly 50 years ago in 1972 by the late brothers, John and Gene Fetters, as an expansion business to their long-standing, local, family-owned dry cleaners Sanitary Cleaners.
Gene Fetters oversaw the Tux Shop’s daily business for many, many years as one of the leading formalwear companies in the state. He also served on the national board of the International Formalwear Association throughout his career.
At one time during the history of the business, The Tux Shop owned and operated six (6) locations, including Kalamazoo, Michigan City, Muskegon, Holland, Benton Harbor, and St. Joseph and housed over 1,500 tuxedos in the St. Joseph Service Center supporting local communities for over 48 years.
Claire Fetters joined the family business as the Director of Marketing in the late 1990s overseeing multiple locations and introduced bridal, bridesmaids, and prom dresses to the inventory selections. The business has always been a community supporter through a long-standing sponsorship of Blossomtime, local high schools, the Lake Michigan College Winner’s Circle Auction, Lakeland Gala, and dress donations to Hurricane Sandy victims and Brides for Breast Cancer. The Tux Shop was also instrumental in initiating local bridal shows in all of their markets.
Owner, Jeff Fetters, notes, “As a multi-generational business, we are proud to have served our community for many years. We take pride in the fact that many have rented tuxedos from us for their proms and weddings and we have also serviced their children’s prom or wedding.” Jeff adds, “It has been an enjoyable business and we would like to thank all of our wonderful employees and communities for supporting us for 48 years!”
Tuxedos from The Tux Shop have been to many prestigious events over the years, including Presidential Inaugurations, the Muhammad Ali dedication ceremonies, NASCAR Awards Ceremony, Miss America Pageant, Miss Michigan Pageant, and The James Beard Awards. As noted earlier in this story, most notably, The Tux Shop logo was featured in the movie, The Hangover. Click the link for that great moment captured in Hollywood history:
