MENSWEAR MAKEOVER

Glen Taylor, Richard Pattison and Lyn Conger opened the specialty menswear boutique TRC, also known as Taylor Richards & Conger, in the era of short shorts, tight polos, and loafers. They established themselves as the premier destination for men’s fashion when they started welcoming customers to their SouthPark location in 1986 and have outfitted Charlotteans in the best of the best in style and fit since then.

“We select every item that comes into our shop from vendors all over the world, and each piece meets our high standards of visual appeal, fit, and touch,” says part-owner Richard Pattison. TRC also offers made-to-measure clothing, which has made it a favorite among Charlotte’s most selective and discerning dressers.

In 2005, TRC relocated its menswear shop to Phillips Place and expanded its offerings by including women’s clothing in its adjoining TRC W boutique. However, the explosive growth of its menswear business since COVID caused TRC to redirect its efforts. In late 2022, they transformed the former TRC W space to house an expanded version of the original TRC concept. Months of working from home have transformed myriad aspects of American life, including, for many, the dress code at the office. From a flat-out refusal to accept fashion without comfort to a general confusion about new workwear standards, Americans are ushering in a new era of workplace attire, and TRC is rising to the challenge.

The former TRC W space was treated to a facelift before debuting as TRC’s menswear expansion. The new layout was

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designed by Carrie Frye Interior Design and implemented by Butch Miller Construction. The TRC owners aimed to source locally whenever possible during the build, introducing cabinetry hand-crafted by Kauffman and Company, stone countertops from Superior Tile of Charlotte, and furniture by Hickory Chair. The space is 1,800 square feet of open, airy showroom that provides the additional square footage necessary to both expand TRC’s existing collections such as Brunello Cucinelli, Zegna, Isaia, Kiton, and Baldassari as well as new collections on the horizon. The expansion also enabled TRC to open a second Made-to-Measure Studio, include a formalwear area, and offer comfortable seating for its guests.

“We encourage clients to ‘come as you are’ and let us first understand what you’re looking for,” says Pattison. “Putting our clients’ needs ahead of the size of the sale enables us to better serve them and determine if our shop is a good match in both style and price. If not, we’ll happily recommend a local shop that might be a better fit, no pun intended.” info trcstyle.com

TRC’s consistent delivery of high-quality, fashionable products and gentlemanly customer service has led to nearly four decades of successful business. Now, the company is exemplifying the adaptability that has enabled them to nimbly respond to and anticipate evolving fashion trends, with its menswear expansion.

“It is our belief that regardless of how a man dresses, his business wardrobe should be professional and attuned to his industry and his leisure clothing should reflect his lifestyle,” says Pattison.

A Cool Take On Italian

Figo36 embraces NoDa’s artistic eclecticism.

words ELEANOR MERRELL photos JAMEY PRICE

IIt’s always a blow to see a restaurant venture spearheaded by a James Beard-nominated chef turn in the towel, and watching Paul Verica’s Orto do so was no different. However, it softens the blow when the space is then filled with the fresh vibrancy born from brand new restaurants. And Figo36, the Italian restaurant occupying Orto’s old space on 36th Street, is nothing if not vibrant.

Figo36 is being introduced to the NoDa neighborhood by Menagerie Hospitality Group, which is headed by Daniel Weiss and local to Charlotte. Menagerie is responsible for The Wine Loft in South End, an intimate venue with a robust wine collection, small plates, and live music, and The Vintage Whiskey and Cigar Bar, also in South End. Each enterprise by Menagerie is driven by guest experience and Figo36, although the group’s first dip into a full food menu, is no different.

A Nod to the Neighborhood

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When deciding on the name for their new restaurant, the Menagerie team kicked around ideas that evoked “cool,” ultimately landing on the word “figo” which translates to “cool” in Italian. And it seems fitting for Figo36, which calls itself contemporary casual; it’s a place that feels festive but not fussy, a step down from fine dining but a step up from casual dining.

“We went to work building a restaurant that would reflect the neighborhood in its design,” says Darci Frank. To that end, diners will discover lively colors and draping plants that conjure NoDa’s vibrant youthfulness, as well as swaths of graffiti along the bar area that nod toward the grassroots arts scene for which NoDa has been a longtime incubator. All in all, Figo36 exudes the vibe that, if it were a person, it would be fashionably late to every party.

Pasta, Pizza, Pizzazz —

The anchors of Figo36’s menu are the house-made pasta and Neapolitan handtossed pizza. The restaurant’s novelty resides in its decor, preferring to lean on the traditional, with a few Southern twists, when crafting its food menu. Classics like pasta alla vodka, shrimp scampi, and linguini alfredo dominate the pasta offerings. Most of Figo’s pizzas are built on a base of housemade dough that uses super-fine tipo 00 flour, although gluten-free variations are available, as are vegan toppings. We recommend pairing your pasta or pizza with a glass of wine from Figo36’s curated list.

The menu also features a sizable antipasti section with options like whipped ricotta, calamari fritti, classic bruschetta, and fried ravioli. In true Italian style, Figo36 is open until midnight on the weekends, with the kitchen offering up antipasti dishes late into the night, providing a more elevated late snack for the NoDa bar hoppers and live music seekers. So, stop by late in the evening for an antipasti and nightcap created by Beverage Director Rob Florio, like the bell pepper Aperol spritz.

Not Your Traditional Italian Eatery

As standard as the menu may be, the creators of Figo36 (with the help of Designbar, a Charlotte-based commercial interior designer) have built an atmosphere of youthfulness and modernity.

“Unlike other Italian restaurants, we wanted Figo36 to reflect the artistic eclecticism of the beautiful NoDa neighborhood while also being a 'cool' place to hang with friends, family, or that special someone,” says Frank.