May 2003 - July 2004

The Gingiss Group operated retail stores under two primary brands: Gingiss Formalwear and Gary’s Tux Shops. Both brands had a long history in the formalwear industry. The first Gingiss Formalwear store opened in Chicago, Illinois in 1936 and Gary’s Tux Shops opened in 1933 in Encino, California. The Gingiss Group was formed as a result of merging the two companies in January 2001.
The Gingiss Group was headquartered in Addison, Illinois. We operated a total of 439 stores; 276 were Gingiss Formalwear Company-owned and franchised stores. The Balance of the 163 stores were company-owned Gary’s Tux Shops. The two brands were located in 34 states, including Hawaii, and Jamaica.

Gingiss was sold for pocket lint to May’s Department Stores in December of 2003 and the operations moved to their formalwear group (After Hours) in Atlanta.   A few years later they sold it to their major competitor, Men’s Wearhouse.

Another venerable Chicago institution bit the dust.

I have family history with Gingiss! My father-in-law’s brother Angelo was the barber to the Gingiss brothers.

I rented my high school tuxedos from Gingiss and I got married in 1981 in a Gingiss tux.

Macarenas, Chicken Dances and Hokey Pokeys in a bucket.

Gary’s Offices are built on the site that used to be Marilyn Monroe’s home when she went to high school.

Gary’s Offices in Van Nuys, CA.

Addison Lobby

Addison Plant

I mocked this up for
Rich’s farewell Lunch.

Jim’s (CFO)One Year Anniversary Pin Presented by Mark (CEO).

Mike, Tom and Chris in Addison.

Doug, Bill and Peter in Van Nuys Data Center.