Shirley's Professional Alterations and Embroidery

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, while customers were waiting for their shirts to be pressed, an urgent announcement came over the intercom: ‘Attention, please! The lady in alteration room three has found a new way to fix buttons—she’s sewing them on with invisible thread!’ Soon enough, everyone was buzzing about it. A regular asked the clerk, 'Can I get my shirt altered that way too?' The clerk replied, 'Sure thing, sir, but you might want to wear something else tomorrow!' In the end, Shirley retired, leaving behind a legacy of shirts that could pass through walls—and a sign outside reading 'Shirley's: Where Your Clothes Are Never Quite What They Seem'.

2. A little girl, holding her grandmother’s hand, entered Shirley’s one afternoon. As she approached the counter, her eyes widened in surprise—there, on top of the embroidery machine, sat a tiny white rabbit, seemingly watching them with curiosity. The little girl giggled and pointed at the bunny, prompting Shirley to smile and say, ‘Oh, that’s just Mr. Whiskers. He likes to hang out here.’ A few minutes later, an older gentleman walked in for his shirts. Upon seeing the rabbit, he exclaimed, ‘That’s no ordinary rabbit!’ To which Shirley replied with a twinkle in her eye, ‘No, sir, it’s our mascot. Come back next week—he’ll be wearing a different hat!’

3. On a particularly humid summer day, when even the dry cleaners seemed to sweat, a delivery driver arrived with a package soaked through and through. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. Puzzled, he opened it slightly—only to find Shirley deep in conversation with someone invisible. The delivery driver peered inside curiously. ‘Hello?’ he called softly. Suddenly, Shirley snapped out of her trance and smiled warmly. 'Oh, hello there!' she said brightly. 'Just talking to my latest design inspiration—an old friend from across the street.' She pointed towards an empty chair. The driver blinked twice before realizing it was indeed empty. They both laughed heartily, and Shirley invited him for tea.

4. At dawn, when most laundries are quiet, a delivery truck pulled up to Shirley’s with its engine roaring like never before. The neighborhood cat, usually fast asleep in the alley, perked its ears and watched curiously as the driver frantically unloaded packages, muttering something about ‘an emergency’. As the sun rose, so did the noise—turning out to be just an overeager delivery driver rushing a big order for a wedding dress. A neighbor popped their head out and laughed, saying, 'Next time, Shirley, maybe you should hire someone awake!'