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Photos by Jesse Chambers.
The Monogram Shop and The Time Machine has moved from Old Montgomery Highway to Brookwood Village. “It’s a Southern thing,” proprietor Irfan Yousuf said about monogramming.
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Monogramming is popular in the Birmingham area, and Irfan Yousuf, longtime proprietor of The Monogram Shop and The Time Machine now at Brookwood Village, said he thinks he knows why.
“It’s a Southern thing,” Yousuf said, who has been in the business for 20 years. “They want everything monogrammed. Kids want their initials on T-shirts and hats. It’s a service that will never die.”
And as long as people want that service, Yousuf said he will likely be there to supply them.
At The Monogram Shop, Yousuf offers monogramming, embroidery and custom decals, as well as custom-made phone and iPad cases, car tabs, and decals for cars and trucks.
And at The Time Machine, customers can get watchbands and batteries, as well as simple watch repairs.
Yousuf operates both businesses from a cart in the Brookwood Village concourse near the food court. He said he has an advantage over any other monogramming establishment in the Birmingham area — speed.
“I’m the only one who does everything while you wait on the spot,” he said. “Some places tell you to come back in three or four days. I tell you to come back in about 15 minutes.”
There are few limits on the items Yousuf can add decals to.
“Anything smooth you have at home, I can customize,” he said. “You can put your name or initials on it. People can bring in their own items to monogram, also. We can do almost anything that will fit into the machine.”
He lists such items as hats, caps, shirts, towels, blankets, lunch bags, even diaper bags and Christmas stockings.
“We do it all,” he said.
Yousuf said that he can put decals on Yeti cups and other tumblers and water bottles, something he said is really popular.
“Kids love their water bottles,” he said.
The business has been at Brookwood Village for about a month, after Yousuf moved from Old Montgomery Highway. He said he has also operated at the Galleria.
The Monogram Shop was previously named the Stitch Witch.
Originally from Hoover, Yousuf said he enjoys what he does for a living.
“I love it,” he said. “Every day is different.”
Yousuf also enjoys facing challenges and doing things for customers no one else can do when it comes to monogramming and watch repair, he said.
“If they say a watch cannot be fixed, call The Time Machine and get a second opinion,” he said
Yousuf offers discounts for large orders from groups, including schools and corporations.
“We will work with you on the price,” he said.
Monogramming is free with $20 purchase, Yousuf said.
