Cinnaminson Native Plans 'First-Class' Rte. 130 Business

Cinnaminson native Al Cardi will bring his roughly 30 years of experience in the formalwear industry back home next year when he opens a new shop in place of the former Bacio restaurant on Route 130.

Cardi’s shop, The Tuxedo Club, will specialize in men’s formalwear—tuxedo rentals and sales, of course, but also christening and Communion attire, suiting and just about every haute accessory imaginable.

“We can offer anything people are looking for, in terms of fit, style, selection, quality,” he said. “I have high-end to low-end. Something for any budget.”

Cardi said he’s shooting for an early January opening and is excited about the prospect of opening a store along the highway.

“For 20 years, I said this was the perfect location,” he said, noting the site’s high visibility and traffic count.

The Tuxedo Club will replace Bacio, which closed in June 2011, at the Chestnut Hill Plaza on Route 130. The location has been vacant since Bacio closed. Bacio owner Robert Minniti closed the popular Italian eatery to focus on the catering side of his business in Moorestown. The shopping center is also home to Primo Hoagies and Salon Santa Fe and Spa.

Cardi was born in Cinnaminson and grew up in Delanco. He began his career in the formalwear business at 17—he turns 48 in March—and has since owned and operated two businesses: a retail store in Bristol, PA and a manufacturing company in Trenton, Bell Tuxedo Wholesale. Cardi closed the store in 2003 to focus on the manufacturing side of the business.

He and his wife, Christine, who have five children together, currently live in Pennsylvania. Cardi said they will likely look to move back to New Jersey once the store is open.

Joe Keresztury, who owns Chestnut Hill Plaza, said he has been trying to replace Bacio ever since it closed and is excited for Cardi’s new business.

“I think it’s going to be a great addition to the township,” said Keresztury.

Mayor Ben Young said the business received conditional approval from the planning board a few months ago, however Keresztury has to make certain improvements to the exterior—paving, landscaping—before it can open.