Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 4, 1995                   TAG: 9506050010
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NEW TO THE VALLEY

Owner: Ralph Miller

Location: 1601 S. Main St., Blacksburg

Phone: 961-4203

Products and services: Alterations and repairs to pants, shirts, suits, dresses and other types of clothing. Miller & Son also does redesign work, monogramming and military insignia. The shop offers custom-made fits, with all customers measured in the store.

Fees: $2.25 per patch for military insignia, $5.50 for pants hemming, $5.50 for pants size increases and decreases, $6.50 for cuff hemming, $10.50 to shorten coat sleeves, $10.50-$12.50 for dress alterations, $14 for formal dress hems, $12.50 per hour for redesign work.

Owner's background: Ralph Miller, 59, has been a tailor since 1953, the year after he graduated from Blacksburg High School. He learned his craft at the Virginia Tech tailor shop under Angelo LoMascalo, a master tailor, and eventually became shop manager. In 1991, he left the shop and did tailoring for a dry cleaner. His son Kevin, 28, also a graduate of Blacksburg High School, worked with his father during summers while a college student. Then, in January, Ralph Miller hired master seamstress Melita Rader and decided to start his own business with his son. Customers include the Blacksburg Police Department and the Virginia National Guard.