Century-Old Tailor Defies Retail Trends, Stays Loyal to Central Despite Rising Rents
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Pellworm, a bespoke tailoring establishment with over a century of heritage in Hong Kong, has made a strategic move from its prime ground-floor location in Central's Carnival Square to a 13th-floor unit in the same building. Owner Ke Qinghua (柯慶華) decided on the relocation after the landlord demanded higher rent and subsequently stopped answering calls. The decision was made within two days, with Ke signing the new lease without even viewing the upstairs space in person. "You ask me to move further away, across the street, I won't do it," Ke stated, emphasizing his commitment to keeping the brand in Central.
Key Points
- Pellworm operated from its ground-floor shop at Carnival Square in Central for 27 years before relocating to the 13th floor of the same building due to a rent dispute
- Ke Qinghua decided on the move within two days after the landlord demanded higher rent and stopped answering calls, signing the new lease without viewing the space
- The shop discarded approximately 200 old suits during the relocation, including some from 1991 belonging to an overseas customer who never returned to collect them
- A bespoke suit from Pellworm has maintained its price at around HK$10,000 for about 20 years, with Ke sourcing foreign manufacturers' surplus fabrics to keep costs low
- The shop has no centralized workshop; over 10 tailors work from home, delivering finished products for Ke's personal quality inspection
Why It Matters
Pellworm's model—prioritizing craftsmanship over expansion and maintaining accessibility through modest pricing—represents a vanishing approach to retail in an era of aggressive growth and rising rents. The shop's reliance on long-term customer relationships and word-of-mouth rather than marketing reflects how traditional businesses can survive without conforming to modern commercial pressures. As formal dress codes face declining popularity, Pellworm's survival demonstrates that heritage and personal trust can serve as effective barriers against market volatility .
Pellworm's model—prioritizing craftsmanship over expansion and maintaining accessibility through modest pricing—represents a vanishing approach to retail in an era of aggressive growth and rising rents. The shop's reliance on long-term customer relationships and word-of-mouth rather than marketing reflects how traditional businesses can survive without conforming to modern commercial pressures. As formal dress codes face declining popularity, Pellworm's survival demonstrates that heritage and personal trust can serve as effective barriers against market volatility .