“Need a Tux? Need Flowers?”
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