Mina’s Fashions

I needed a bridesmaids dress fitted for a wedding and live just down the street so I figured I’d give it a try. When dropping off the dress she was very meticulous about the measurements to ensure the alterations were done correctly. She was very sweet and I was quickly put at ease as I was nervous to take an expensive and important dress to a place that I was unfamiliar with. Plus the cost of alterations was pretty reasonable. $ 95 to take the dress in, adjust the straps, and take a few inches off the bottom.
I picked up the dress about 3 weeks later, tried it on and the alterations were a bit off but nothing I couldn’t handle. It was a bit snug under the armpit but I can deal with it knowing I only have to wear the dress once.
Then I turned around to notice that she burned the whole back of my dress with the steamer. The seams from under the dress are 100% visible on the outside and just above the butt are scratches in the material. I don’t know what the heck she did, but it looks awful. She insisted nothing was there and that «she saw nothing». Of course she would say that. She just ruined a $ 300 dress. At this point in time I’m not able to order a new one so I have to be the bridesmaid wearing a shawl to cover up a burnt dress.
I really did like/​try to like Mina as a sweet lady and to support a local small business but you cannot completely botch a service and still be asked to pay…

I have been frequenting Mina’s for alterations since I moved to the area twelve years ago. I have never used another tailor in my life, so I am not an expert on quality but Mina seems to do a good job. My sister introduced me to Mina when she had her wedding dress altered. Since then, I have had several bridesmaids dresses altered, a coat alerted, many pairs of pants altered, and of course buttons reattached.
Mina’s is located on Columbia Pike between Burger King and The Broiler. It’s on the second floor of a run-​down building above a barber shop. If you blink, you will miss it. I assume her business exists by word of mouth. The space is very small and unassuming and appears to be her home away from home. Mina works alone and the turnaround time is typically one week although she is flexible. The prices are reasonable. For example, when I need pants altered she typically has to take apart the pant legs at the seams and reattach them, for a cost of approximately $ 20. She tends to add in some freebies such as button reattachment or other quick alterations.
It’s always a comedy show when I stop by to have my pants altered. Without fail, I depart the dressing room with my ill-​fitting pants and say «these pants are too big in the butt» to which she says «I dooooon’t think sooooo…» After some negotiation, she agrees to make the alterations. When I return after one week to try them on, I am always pleased and then typically tell her I have about 20 more pairs to bring in, to which she responds…“that’s cause you like your pants that way”…meaning snug in the bum. I mean, who wants to wear saggy pants? But yes, I get that she thinks I wear my pants inappropriately.
Parking is a little tough. I usually park in the Burger King parking lot and run in quickly. Mina’s is a good bet if you live close by and tend to like mom and pop establishments.

Got a few pants hemmed here. She is quick, and does a great job. I’ll make sure to go there for anything else I need. Thanks Mina.