Nearly a Century
of Expertise
"For nearly 100 years, Fillings Fine Clothing has stood as a cornerstone of Downtown Lancaster. Founded on unwavering standards of personal service, fine craftsmanship, and master tailoring, our heritage is built on helping generations of men look and feel their absolute best."
1929
Modest Beginnings
The Filling’s story began in 1929, when Frank Frederick Filling purchased a soda fountain in Millersville, PA and turned the rear of the building into a shop for pressing clothing. In 1932, he expanded to Lancaster, PA purchasing a tailor shop at Pine and Lemon Streets and making suits from $24.75 to $38.95. It was the beginning of a Lancaster clothing tradition that continues today.
1938
Striving to Thriving
Frank expanded the business with the purchase of the Green Shea Inn in Mountville, transforming it into Pennsylvania’s first mineral spirits dry-cleaning facility. Filling’s grew rapidly, adding delivery routes and drop-off locations throughout Lancaster County, PA. In 1941, the tailor shop moved to Lemon and Charlotte Streets. After World War II, the growing popularity of ready-to-wear clothing would change the business once again.
1952
A Family Affair
For Frank, Filling’s was truly a family business, with all eight of his children contributing to its growth. Following his death in 1952, the next generation carried the company forward. His sons Frank Jr. and Albert led the dry-cleaning operation, while Bill—and later Richard “Dick” Filling—focused on apparel.
1963
The Next Generation
As Filling’s continued to grow, the business expanded into uniform sales and rentals alongside apparel and dry cleaning. In 1963, Kathryn Filling founded the women’s apparel division at the Lemon Street store. By the mid-to-late 1970s, a third generation had joined the family business, additional dry-cleaning locations had opened, and Filling’s had added a second men’s and women’s apparel store.
1980
Apparel Movement
Throughout the 1980s, apparel and dry cleaning remained the backbone of Filling’s. Third-generation family members, including J. Jay Filling and Linda Filling, moved into leadership as the company continued to expand its retail footprint with additional apparel stores.
1987
Changing Times
After more than 40 years with the company, Frank Filling Jr. retired in 1987. His brother Bill assumed leadership of both apparel and dry cleaning as president and CEO. Mary Beth Filling had taken the lead in women’s apparel in 1983, and in 1988 Jay Filling became buyer and manager of the flagship store. Over the years that followed, the company’s focus increasingly shifted toward apparel.
1995
Distinctively Classic
Following Bill Filling’s retirement, Jay and Mary Beth Filling purchased the business, with Jay becoming president. The dry-cleaning division was sold, allowing Filling’s to focus exclusively on apparel. Together, Jay and Mary Beth carried forward the company’s longstanding commitment to quality, value, distinctive clothing and exceptional customer service while strengthening its relationship with generations of Lancaster customers.
2007
College Row
After decades on Lemon Street, Filling’s moved to College Row in October 2007. The move marked a major turning point for the business, providing more space, greater selection and a new shopping experience in Lancaster’s growing northwest corridor. Contemporary reporting also confirms that the move provided better opportunities for displaying merchandise, parking and attracting new customers.
2018
Store Renovation
Filling’s remodeled and expanded its College Row store in 2018, creating more space for its growing selection and an improved shopping experience. The renovation reflected a longstanding Filling’s priority: continuing to invest in the experience of its customers.
2023
The Next Chapter
As Jay and Mary Beth Filling prepared for retirement, Lancaster native and longtime menswear professional Ben Karl became the next owner of Filling’s. Ben’s career in specialty menswear began while he was still in high school and ultimately brought him back to Lancaster and to the kind of independent specialty store he had long hoped to lead.
Today, Ben carries Filling’s forward with a continued focus on tailored clothing, exceptional service and helping customers look—and feel—their best.
2025
Introducing Dressed by Filling’s
More than six decades after Filling’s first introduced womenswear, the women’s business entered a new chapter with the launch of Dressed by Filling’s. Created as a distinct destination for women, Dressed carries forward the Filling’s commitment to quality, personal service and exceptional style—with a modern point of view all its own. The new store opened adjacent to Filling’s and is connected directly to the men’s store.