Toscano’s

A Portrait Session with a Westerly Legend

Paul Gencarella is the longtime owner of Toscano’s Men’s Shop on Canal Street in Westerly, Rhode Island and has been dressing the men on my mom’s side of the family for decades. I have been tagging along on trips to Toscano’s since I could walk, and to me, his bright red gift box box with crisp, white Toscano’s script is synonymous with Christmas. At least two or three have been exchanged between uncles or grandfather every year for as long as I can remember. 

He was the first person I reached out to when I started asking people around town for portrait sessions that will go towards my new portfolio, and he immediately obliged. 

Paul started working in the store as a kid, when downtown Westerly supported five men’s stores. According to Paul they all got along, too. Bigger department stores in strip malls on the edge of town and a more casual clothing style spelled the end for all but one. 

Generations of loyal customers, out of towers in need of a new shirt for a wedding, Tuxes for proms and weddings, alterations and now dry cleaning all keep him busy. You go to Toscano’s if you want quality dress shirts and pants, suits, overcoats, stetsons and assorted men’s clothing accessories tailored to fit. The good stuff, made right and made to last. 

There was a lot more I wanted to do that morning, but three portraits in an hour and a half is a pretty good start. Much more to come (if he let’s me!)