LA Koreatown tailor Goo Young Lim, a 75-year-old veteran craftsman who has operated the renowned custom suit shop Italy Tailor for four decades, has officially decided to reverse his retirement plans and reopen his business following overwhelming pleas from long-time customers.
Lim initially announced in February that he would close the shop when his lease expired at the end of May, intending to wrap up a 40-year journey that began in July 1985 near Wilshire Boulevard and Oxford Avenue. However, retired friends and loyal patrons—who described the potential closure as a “major loss for the Korean American community”—persuaded him a month ago to continue his craft.
“There are about 20 families where a child who once came in holding his grandfather’s hand returns as a working professional and now brings his own grandson,” Lim said. “Being a part of their lives during such meaningful milestones is my greatest reward.”
Four Decades of Trust with LA Koreatown Tailor Goo Young Lim
Over the past 40 years, Italy Tailor built a deeply devoted clientele. One non-Korean customer has visited the shop every Tuesday at 10 a.m. for 35 years. Another patron, Julie Han, has traveled from San Diego to Los Angeles with her family for 30 years to get custom-fitted suits. Her brother bought his first professional suit there, and her husband ordered his wedding tuxedo from the shop.
Other customers have flown in from Texas, while some have ordered hundreds of suits over the years. Notable patrons also include Chan Ho Park, the first Korean-born player in Major League Baseball history.
Originally a bank worker in South Korea, Lim immigrated to the United States in 1979. After realizing auto mechanics was not his calling, he learned tailoring from his older brother and opened Italy Tailor in 1985. Through four decades on Wilshire Boulevard, he even weathered the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Adapting to Market Shifts and Preparing a New Beginning
As low-cost ready-made suits entered the U.S. market following the Asian financial crisis in Korea, demand for custom tailoring shifted. Lim adapted by introducing imported ready-to-wear lines from Korea and Italy. While custom attire once made up the bulk of his sales, it now accounts for roughly 10%. His primary clientele today includes athletes who require specialized sizing, individuals with non-standard body types, and seniors. Despite these changes, his customer return rate remains remarkably high at 70% to 80%.
Lim attributes his long-term success to a customer-centric philosophy, keeping prices accessible and often offering an extra pair of trousers rather than a simple $100 discount to build long-term trust.
In October, Italy Tailor will open its new location on the 3rd floor of the Koreatown Galleria Plaza next to the food court. Although the initial lease term is three years, Lim plans to keep the shop open as long as his health permits.
“I am happiest when I see a customer satisfied with their suit,” Lim shared. “Italy Tailor is a home for both me and my customers.”
By Eunyoung Lee
