'Bring Me Customers': Needham Tailor Prefers Work Over Donations

NEEDHAM, MA — Maria Mavrogiannis is a humble tailor who believes in earning her keep, which is why even after several residents requested to create GoFundMe accounts to save her from eviction, she's advised each one to bring her their clothes instead.

"I can work, if I can work, I can keep my business," Mavrogiannis said.

Just days after Patch published Mavrogiannis' story detailing her possible eviction and struggle to make ends meet during the pandemic, the people of Needham stepped up. Dozens of residents reacted to the story on social media and several contacted Patch directly to find out how they could help.

Mavrogiannis is 76 and has been altering clothes and selling dresses in her shop at 40 Chestnut Street for 30 years. She's facing an eviction notice from her landlord after she fell behind on rent payments when the shop closed in February.

Her story circulated on Facebook and made it onto the Needham, MA Facebook group. From there, dozens of neighbors brainstormed the best way to help, with some suggesting GoFundMe accounts, direct donations or even paying for her late husband's gravestone, which she couldn't afford.

Mavrogiannis told Patch on Monday that she was beyond thankful, but she feels more comfortable working for the money that the community wants to offer her.

"A man came into my shop yesterday morning, and he tells me he'll give me $200 to sew the patches onto his baseball shirts," Mavrogiannis said, "He wanted to pay me right there but I tell him 'No, you pay me when I finish the work."

A fellow Needham business owner contacted Mavrogiannis on Saturday and offered her business doing work on pillows for his upholstery company.

"Already since Saturday, I have four or five customers," Mavrogiannis said, it's more customers than she's had in months. She hopes the new clientele will stick around and breathe new life back into her business.

She's not out of the woods yet, but Mavrogiannis said she feels lucky to have a community like Needham to support her. In the meantime, if residents want to find ways to help, Mavrogiannis had one thing to say.

"Tell them to send me customers!" Mavrogiannis said, thrilled at the thought of the community rallying behind her.

Her shop is still packed with dresses that are up for sale, and she said it's never too early to think about prom, even if it turns out to be virtual this year, the right dress could make the night magical nonetheless. Mavrogiannis and her happy hands will gladly take in clothes to be altered as well.

"I believe good things come to people who do good," Mavrogiannis said in her initial interview with Patch. It seems her shop and Needham are filled with good people.