The Stonework Menswear Boutique Opens This Weekend on Ditmars

This weekend marks the opening of The Stonework, the latest addition to the increasingly dynamic scene on Ditmars. The store will be Astoria’s first menswear boutique, offering high-quality products like pea coats, Red Wing boots, tailored jeans, tees, grooming products, and more, all with a focus on local & US made goods.

I sat down with Ana Stone and her husband James Guccione, the couple behind the shop. They had just finished installing a large light fixture in the center of the store, among the last of many renovation projects before they open. Their instagram marks July 30th as the day they signed contracts for the space at 38-06 Ditmars. When I remarked how quickly they’d turned the shop around to open, they laughed with the exhaustion of first-time business owners who have been working long hours to make their dream come true. “It doesn’t feel that fast to us!”

To me, it’s Ana and James themselves that make this neighborhood opening particularly exciting. Ana, a visual merchandiser and former buyer at Lockwood Style, speaks about her brands and products with compelling and authentic passion. I enjoyed learning the historical significance of some of the stop’s styles and materials.

Customers will be able to interact with Ana in the same way – she will often be seated at a work table immediately inside the door, tailoring jeans (purchased there or elsewhere), hand-stitching custom embroidery, or hand-painting flags to order.

I have to say at this point that I’m not a fashionable person, but I’m legitimately excited to shop here. Learning the background of the products, along with Ana’s casual, conversational style, made me really comfortable (as did learning about James’ evolution toward caring about his clothes). Larger gents will be happy to know they will stock 3X sizes in some brands.

The shop itself looks great, harkening back to a time when clothes were meant to last. Reclaimed furniture like Guccione’s mother’s work table and antique clothing racks fit right in with the styles of the products on offer. It’s location across the street from the female-friendly clothing and jewelry store The Brass Owl is serendipitous – the two stores make a fashionable Ditmars couple.

Best of luck to you, Ana & James – I’ll see you soon to pick up this tee for myself…

 

The Stonework 37-06 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. Instagram | Facebook | Website

One Comment

Nancy Eisen October 1st, 2016

Congratulations Ana and James!!! Can’t wait to see (you) and the shop! Definitely want your t-shirts! and I will bring Urban in for his birthday! This sounds like a winning idea for you and your neighborhood!! So excited for both of you!

Reply