NORFOLK, Va. - You may find your size on the rack, but that doesn't mean it'll be the perfect fit.
Bodies rarely come in standard sizes. Mike Kindle says that's where he can help.
"I 3D scan your body, get all your precise dimensions," he told News 3 earlier this month. "There is no shortage of, what would you call it? Fit-frustrated people out there."
Kindle opened his new business, Bonaire Custom Clothiers and Coffee Bar, a few weeks ago on Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk, to help tackle the issue.
Phase one is the coffee bar portion called Common Thread, featuring locally-sourced coffee and baked goods.
Phase two, the custom clothier part, arrives in June, he says.
"We believe people interested in specialty, third-wave coffee would also be interested in custom clothing," said Kindle.
He tells News 3 that once a person's body is scanned, they can pick out the fit and style of the clothes they want, which are then sent out to be custom made.
"Three to four weeks later we'll have a suit, a pair of jeans, a shirt, a skirt."
Kindle says the idea to create custom clothing using a 3D scanner came from a past career using computer-aided drafting (CAD) systems to help design submarines.
"I thought, 'Wow, you could scan a body,'" he said.
Kindle is also planning a third phase to his business located on the block between Tazewell Street and College Place; making custom-fitting jeans on-site.
It's no surprise, but the fact that it's custom-fitting clothing means it comes at a cost; $140-150 for a shirt, Kindle says, and that's the lower end of the pricing.
But a latte, cappuccino or the Bonaire-specific 'Spinning Jenny' will only set you back a few bucks. And, keep in mind, you can certainly come in and just order a cup of coffee.
"Come on down," said Kindle. "We'll give you a tour of the place and make you a great cup of coffee."
Bonaire Custom Clothiers and Coffee Bar is open seven days a week.
