Today we’d like to introduce you to Sergio Melconian and Harry Hudson.
1920
George Ripley began manufacturing custom made dress shirts in a small workroom in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, Texas in 1920. The first shirts that Mr. Ripley manufactured were of surplus Airplane Cloth that he had purchased from the government. The shirts were virtually indestructible.
Mr. Ripley continued to grow the business with new and innovative manufacturing methods. Between the years of 1923-1935, Mr. Ripley obtained six patents related to shirt making with the U.S. Patent Office. He continued the shirt manufacturing business through the 1930s and most of the 1940s during which time the Ripley Shirt company was converted to a wartime factory for uniform shirts.
1949
The Ripley Shirt Company was acquired by a number of prominent Dallas businessmen in 1949 shortly after Mr. Ripley left the business to pursue real estate endeavors. These businessmen hired George and Julia Brown to manage the business. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had begun working for Mr. Ripley shortly after high school graduation in 1928 and had over twenty years of experience in the shirt business.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown worked hard and began purchasing Ripley stock whenever it became available. By 1960 Mr. & Mrs. Brown owned 25% of the stock. Mr. Brown died in 1964; however, Mrs. Brown continued in the business and in 1971 Mrs. Brown and her son Jerry acquired the remaining stock in the company. Julia and Jerry successfully ran the business together through the 1970’s and 1980’s. Mrs. Brown retired in 1991 after over 60 years in the custom shirt business.
2003
In December 2003, DeSantis Corp. acquired the Ripley Shirt Company from Jerry Brown. The company building was included in the purchase to insure that the Ripley custom shirts will continue to be made in Dallas, Texas for many years to come.
2006
Mr. DeSantis gave the opportunity to his employees. Sergio Melconian who was the production manager at the time, took over the company founding the Oak Cliff Shirt Company dba Ripley Shirt Company. Mr. Melconian brought to the company more than twenty five years of international experience on the textile and garment industries.
2014
Mr. Harry Hudson comes on board and on November 1st. and Ripley Shirt Company, LLC is born. Together Harry Hudson and Sergio Melconian have formulated an ambitious plan to continue the growth of the company and build upon the rich history by reaching customers in new and exciting ways. The two are bringing new technologies and leading edge business practices to transform Ripley Shirt Company into a model of success in the industry.
Has it been a smooth road?
The company went through a rough patch financially and image wise during 2008 thru 2010, two successive changes of ownership with very different visions of which direction the company should move to and the country’s economic crisis were responsible for it. Since 2011, fortunately, the company has returned to the traditional values that always has guided it; Strong customer service, ongoing quality improvements on fitting and craftsmanship; and one of the widest selection of fabrics combined with an incredible array of customization choices.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ripley Shirt Company, – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The company specialize on manufacturing, retail and wholesale custom-made shirts and custom-made suits for ladies and gentlemen. But now, since the opening of our new showroom, we are also offering customized western and dress boots, fine leather belts, silver buckles and fine accessories (Ties & cuff links)
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love DFW, Harry’s a thru born and raised Dallasite and Sergio fell in love with it during a business trip in 2002 and moved into the area from Los Angeles in 2003, the openness of the landscape and it’s people make it impossible not to like it, Probably the new “high volume traffic” we are seeing lately in our highways is the only thing we like the least
Contact Info:
- Address: 5631 Dyer St.
Dallas, TX 75206 - Website: www.ripleyshirt.com
- Phone: (817) 225-2300
- Email: info@ripleyshirt.com
- Instagram: ripleyclothing
- Facebook: @Ripleyshirts
- Twitter: RipleyClothing
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
