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Barrio Logan’s Sew Loka: the Nip/Tuck of real life

Gym for health, tailoring for looks

Sew Loka owner is part seamstress, part life coach
Sew Loka owner is part seamstress, part life coach

According to Claudia Rodriguez Biezunski, the gregarious owner of Barrio Logan’s Sew Loka, for a man, having your clothes tailored is more important for your looks than working out.

“You can go to the gym every day, but if your stuff’s not tailored, what’s the point?” said a laughing Claudia. “The gym is for health reasons. Getting your clothes tailored is the Nip/Tuck of real life. It’s like having a plastic surgeon.”

I asked her why she thought most people don’t get their clothes fitted. “It’s an intimidating process to stand in front of someone, and it invades your personal space.”

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For the lion’s share of our conversation, Claudia didn’t pontificate about her skill with a needle, or talk up the shop. She described, almost as a novelist would, her customers’ emotional experience of having their clothes assessed. She sounded more like a therapist than a seamstress.

“You should hear how many people body shame themselves. And I’m like, ‘You keep talking like that and I’m going to charge you double.’”

Which wouldn’t be much. Claudia said the most she typically charges someone for alterations is $25.

“It seems f*ed up for me to be like that mechanic who’s like, ‘I can totally take advantage of this situation where you can’t do it, and I’ll charge you more.’”

This empathy is probably a big reason why the small shop, which used to be tucked away in an alley, has seen great success.

Also unusual for a business owner: she’s big on teaching people how to do the work for themselves. The shop offers sewing classes, and when I mentioned my own desire to learn, she lit up even brighter.

“If I didn’t sew… it definitely gives me self-worth, like, maybe I am cool.” That laugh again. “Still kind of questioning that one.”

I’m not.

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Sew Loka owner is part seamstress, part life coach
Sew Loka owner is part seamstress, part life coach

According to Claudia Rodriguez Biezunski, the gregarious owner of Barrio Logan’s Sew Loka, for a man, having your clothes tailored is more important for your looks than working out.

“You can go to the gym every day, but if your stuff’s not tailored, what’s the point?” said a laughing Claudia. “The gym is for health reasons. Getting your clothes tailored is the Nip/Tuck of real life. It’s like having a plastic surgeon.”

I asked her why she thought most people don’t get their clothes fitted. “It’s an intimidating process to stand in front of someone, and it invades your personal space.”

Sponsored
Sponsored
Get your clothes fitted without fear or judgement

For the lion’s share of our conversation, Claudia didn’t pontificate about her skill with a needle, or talk up the shop. She described, almost as a novelist would, her customers’ emotional experience of having their clothes assessed. She sounded more like a therapist than a seamstress.

“You should hear how many people body shame themselves. And I’m like, ‘You keep talking like that and I’m going to charge you double.’”

Which wouldn’t be much. Claudia said the most she typically charges someone for alterations is $25.

“It seems f*ed up for me to be like that mechanic who’s like, ‘I can totally take advantage of this situation where you can’t do it, and I’ll charge you more.’”

This empathy is probably a big reason why the small shop, which used to be tucked away in an alley, has seen great success.

Also unusual for a business owner: she’s big on teaching people how to do the work for themselves. The shop offers sewing classes, and when I mentioned my own desire to learn, she lit up even brighter.

“If I didn’t sew… it definitely gives me self-worth, like, maybe I am cool.” That laugh again. “Still kind of questioning that one.”

I’m not.

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The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
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Spa-Like Facial Treatment From Home - This Red Light Therapy Mask Makes It Possible

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Now what can they do with Encinitas unstable cliffs?

Make the cliffs fall, put up more warnings, fine beachgoers?
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