High-end NYC Tailor Defies State Orders; Reopens Store Despite Being Deemed 'Non-essential'

A New York business owner defied state orders. Despite being considered as a "non-essential" during the pandemic, he reopened his boutique to customers, and accompanied it with a very strong message to New York, "I'm opening my doors come hell or high water."

Known for providing his customers with high-end men's and boys' apparel, Eliot Rabin opened his Upper East Side boutique, Peter Elliot. In an interview with The Post, Rabin said that his products, like the pocket squares and suits, were part of New York City's fabric. He also asked why a liquor store was considered as an "essential," and his business was not.

Rabin admitted that many of the customers who can afford the products he's selling have already left the city and settled for vacation homes. The tailor then said that he is there to provide "emotional essential support" for those who are still in town.

Saving the Business

He also admitted that reopening was the only way that he would be able to save his business as they have tried to apply for every loan, break, and a lot more, but to no avail. In addition, the 78-year-old Army vet stated that he needed to cut 12 members of his staff, originally numbering at 21. He also pointed out that some of his staff were with him for 35 years already.

As per the report, Rabin saw a trickle of customers from the time that he reopened his shop Wednesday. Some of his customers have already started requesting for suits for future events.

Following Protocols

A number of his customers expressed concern for him, asking him if he could get in trouble. To this, Rabin would just say that if he would get in trouble, it would be for the right reasons.

He is also very cautious in keeping his boutique clean and disinfected. He makes sure to use Lysol, and would only have two employees at the store, one at the register and the other one on the floor.

"I'm fighting for the soul of my company and my people. I'm doing what I think is right to protect my business and employees from this disaster," said Rabin.