Author: Nick Hilton

I have been seeking truth and meaning in my life for many years. Most days an idea will occur to me, inspired study of spiritual writings, my life as a sober alcoholic/addict these last forty-five years, as a parent, a husband, a friend like you, sometimes even by my life as a clothier for a half-century. There are two reason why I want to share them with you. First, in order to understand. Because to communicate these ideas I will have to clarify them in my own mind, to turn them from suspicions into beliefs. I may reject some of them in the process, finding them misguided or untrue. I do have thoughts every day, but some of them prove unworthy of your interest. So I won't post every day. I pray you, reader, be patient with me. I believe it is possible that thoughts like these may be interesting and valuable to you. I hope so. And I hope you'll let me know if so.

Immigration Debate? Not here!

Nick Hilton

Par Tha Hniang

Par Tha   Par Tha’s flight from political repression to the American dream is the stuff that movies are made of!  Having learned her craft and honed her tailoring skills in her home town of Ha Kha, in the Chin State of Myanmar (Burma,) with her husband Zabik and their three children, Par Tha was forced to flee the country (on foot, through Thai jungle) as a political refugee and was brought to Princeton by the dedicated members of the Nassau Church Mission and Outreach Committee.

     Having mastered the alterations basics, Par Tha has visited custom factories and furthered her knowledge of tailoring, fitting, balance and finishing. In her six years as head tailor at Nick Hilton, Par Tha’s wonderful attitude and tremendous skills have been an integral element the growth and customer satisfaction we have achieved.    

         Par Tha and her husband, Zabik Thaing, and their children Azing, Van Lal, and Rem Rem became citizens last summer.

Local passion? Just the coffee?

Nick Hilton

Small World     “Joe to go” you can get anywhere in Princeton. But Small World Coffee has a line out the door, even at night.  Hard to get a table  in the hustle-bustle back room amid amped chatters. I don’t think it’s just because of its local ownership or its central Witherspoon Street visibility. They have the same parking headaches as everybody else, but the place is packed. Consistent product, consistent results.

     For me, it’s all about the caffeine buzz, probably a function of the taste. Or vice-versa. Great rich taste = strong brew. Everything else is secondary. This is not a review; I’m just sayin’. The coffee’s just better, man. We even get it at home, by mail order.  Junkies.

Just goes to show you…  Better coffee or better clothing, it’s not magic that keeps folks coming back. Just find out what the customers want and give it to ’em. Caffeine or khakis, lattes or schmattes, just make sure it’s the best they can get anywhere. We’re grateful for the example. And the coffee.

 

 

 

 

Re: Generations – Change is Good

Nick Hilton

Agricola

   Agricola, our great new neighbor up the street — like us, symbolic of changing times in Princeton, and a big hit in town.

   When I was a kid my father, Norman Hilton (PU 41) and sometimes his dad, Alex (PU 19) would take me to Lahiere’s on the day of the Yale game, and then for a walk down Nassau Street to admire the windows of  the finest clothing store in town, Langrock.  Big doings in a boy’s life.

  We’re a fine clothing store, what Agricola is to fine dining. They’re “farm-to-table” elegant, we’re elegantly comfortable . Exquisite service, relaxed attitude. Times change, but they don’t change what’s great.    

   

SWIMS: These shoes are made for… swimmin’!

Nick Hilton

These shoes are made for… swimmin’!

Once in a great while we find something new that is absolutely right -stylish, practical, comfortable, and affordable.
SWIMS
Designed in Norway, completely waterproof, SWIMS started out as foul-weather gear for feet
and wound up being the most colorful, summery-est, funnest, never-take-them-off casual shoes, for about $150.

Gant Handloom Madras Get It

Nick Hilton

Nick Hilton Introduces SWIMS...

These shoes are made for… swimmin’!

Once in a great while we find something new that is absolutely right -stylish, practical, comfortable, and affordable.
SWIMS
Designed in Norway, completely waterproof, SWIMS started out as foul-weather gear for feet and wound up being the most colorful, summery-est, funnest, never-take-them-off casual shoes, for about $150.