‘The real deal’: Montreal master tailor eyes retirement after 50 years [Video]

Fifty suits.

That’s what Vincenzo Mercadante estimates he needs to sell to clear out his inventory before closing up shop on Ste-Catherine Street East.

Mercadante runs Select Men’s Wear, a men’s clothing store in Montreal’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, where he’s served as master tailor for more than 50 years.

“My specialty is sewing by hand. It’s old fashioned tailoring, but with good ideas,” he said.

Mercadante has been involved in the world of tailoring since he was first introduced to the craft in Italy at 11 years old. Born in the village of Vezzara, he learned to tailor through both hands-on experience and professional training.

He moved to Montreal in 1963 and began working at the shop on the weekends as a staff member. …