Suit up: Venerable menswear shop makes savvy moves to survive downturn

During nearly five decades spent working in the high-end retail clothing industry, Martin Shine, owner of Kirby's Men’s Wear in South Tampa, has never faced an existential threat like the coronavirus pandemic. 

The massive shift to remote work and cancellation of charity fundraisers and other black tie events has decimated sales at Kirby’s, which since 1959 has specialized in designer suits, formalwear, shoes, sportswear, ties and accessories. And yet, thanks to some shrewd inventory management and reduction of overhead costs on the part of Shine, 70, who bought the business from his father in 1984, the store is still standing.