Shoffner's Tailor

Shoffner’s was listed in the Green Book as “Shoffners’—922 E. Market St.” under “Tailors” in Greensboro from 1939-1941; as “Shoffners—922 E. Market St.” under “Tailors” in Greensboro from 1947-1954; and as “Shoffners, 936 Market Street” under “Tailors” in Greensboro in 1955.¹

Percy Parker Shoffner and C. B. Fincher opened Fincher and Shoffner Dry Cleaners and Tailors at 922 E. Market Street in 1930. Shoffner was a recent graduate of NC A&T University’s tailoring program. With no money and no ability to get a loan, the duo made makeshift furniture and farmed out their dry cleaning orders to other businesses until they were able to purchase their own materials and equipment. Shoffner tailored clothing at home, using his mother’s sewing machine.²

Fincher soon moved to Chicago, leaving Shoffner as the business’s sole proprietor. Business picked up after World War II and Shoffner’s staff grew to seven employees. Shoffner regularly solicited business from college and boarding school students, including those at NC A&T University, Bennett College, Lutheran College, and Palmer Memorial Institute. Shoffner also offered night courses in pressing through a program with Greensboro City Schools in the 1940s and 1950s. He supported those same students during the Civil Rights Movement by collecting money for demonstrator’s meals.³

Shoffner remained at 922 E. Market Street until 1955, when he moved his business to 936 E. Market Street. He remained there until his business was acquired by the City of Greensboro through an “urban renewal” project and demolished in 1965. Shoffner moved to 947 Best Street and remained at that location until his retirement in 1987.⁴

Percy Parker Shoffner (also known as P.P. Shoffner) was born in Alamance County, NC in 1908. He was active in the Greensboro Negro Business League and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was married to Icy Mae McConnell, who worked alongside him. Percy Shoffner passed away in 1989.⁵

Essay by Brandie K. Ragghianti, 2024

Notes

1. Victor Green, 1939 Green Book , 33; Green, 1940 Green Book, 35; Green, 1941 Green Book, 35; Victor Green, 1947 Green Book, 64; Green, 1948 Green Book, 62; Green, 1949 Green Book, 56; Green, 1950 Green Book, 62; Green, 1951 Green Book, 53; Green, 1952 Green Book, 53; Green, 1953 Green Book, 53; Green, 1954 Green Book, 53; Victor Green, 1955 Green Book, 53.
2. Jerry Bledsoe, “P.P. Oldest Tailor; He Took A Chance," The News and Record (Greensboro, NC), June 9, 1982, p. 19, accessed from www.newspapers.com.
3. Jim Wicker, “E. Market business buzzed,” The Greensboro Record, June 1, 1979, pp. A6, A8, accessed from www.newspapers.com; Jerry Bledsoe, “P.P. Oldest Tailor; He Took A Chance, The News and Record (Greensboro, NC), June 9, 1982, p. 19, accessed from www.newspapers.com.
4.  Jim Wicker, “E. Market business buzzed,” The Greensboro Record, June 1, 1979, pp. A6, A8, accessed from www.newspapers.com; Jerry Bledsoe, “P.P. Oldest Tailor; He Took A Chance, The News and Record (Greensboro, NC), June 9, 1982, p. 19, accessed from www.newspapers.com.
5.  Percy P. Shoffner and Icy Mae McConnell, January 26, 1946, Forsyth County, North Carolina Marriage Records, 1741-2011, accessed from www.ancestry.com; “Percy Parker Shoffner” (obituary), The News and Record (Greensboro, NC), February 12, 1989, p. 44, accessed from www.newspapers.com.