Westboro tailor selling shop after nearly 40 years

Tailor and designer Ricciotti Federico has owned his Richmond Road shop in Westboro for nearly 40 years.

When Ricciotti Federico first opened his tailor shop on Richmond Road in Westboro nearly 40 years ago, he never imagined giving it up.

“To tell the truth, my life is here you know. I’ve spent my life here since [1975]. That’s 42, 45 years you know,” he said.

But with Westboro booming, he said people have been calling him almost every day to buy or rent the space he occupies.

Recently, many high-end shops and restaurants have moved into the area and smaller shops have moved out.

Now, Federico’s shop is conditionally sold.

Some of his neighbours on Richmond Road said they are sad to see him go.

“It’s a shame in Westboro to see the tiny independents being squeezed out becauses as a small business you can’t afford the rents,” said Tracy Smith, manager of Brio Bodywear.

High rent also played a part in forcing Janise Saikelay to move her paint store to Hintonburg two years ago.

“My lease tripled and I couldn’t afford it. It was either work for the landlord or work for myself,” she said.

Katherine Hobbs, the city councilor for the area, said the high rent is a reflection of the demand for the area.

“These are natural things that happen in the business district and there’s not too many empty locations around here that people aren’t willing to snap up and move into,” Hobbs said.

Federico said after he packs up his sewing machine and closes up shop, he’ll buy a house in Westboro. He’s not saying what the new owners paid for the shop, but reports say it was for sale for more than $1 million.

With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr