A Tamaqua store that has outfitted men with the finest suits, tuxedos and casual wear for more than 100 years is closing its doors.

But the personalized services of Charles X. Block will continue — only in a different way, said owner Ralph Richards.

He’s launching “Blocks Without Bricks” and now, instead of visiting the store, customers simply contact Richards on his cellphone or online — and he’ll deliver.

“I’m going to make customer service, which has always been the thing that I’ve valued most in business, better than it ever was,” Richards said.

Blocks Without Bricks launches on Nov. 1.

“I will carry on the Block’s tradition, just not the brick and mortar — hence, Blocks Without Bricks was born,” Richards said.

With the new business, anyone who needs a suit contacts Richards to schedule an appointment.

“I will meet them where they want to meet. I’ve gone to doctors’ offices, lawyers’ offices, banks, school districts — I’ll meet anybody, anywhere,” he said.

Or, he said, they can meet him at his Jim Thorpe home.

“I’ll have someone in my kitchen and they can buy a suit,” Richards said.

He’ll be working with the same vendors and brands as he always had, and will be able to show customers colors, materials and other examples.

“They’ll sit with me and look at a swatch,” Richards said. “They might like a certain color and they can feel it, they can touch it.”

And then the suit can be ordered, tailored — if necessary — and delivered. He’s getting a lot of orders on a new line of suits — attire that’s made from 4-way stretch material and lends to better movement and comfort.

It works similarly for tuxedo rentals.

But those who are out of the area — like the many out-of-state weddings he handles — will provide measurements and get their tuxes delivered by FedEx or UPS.

“If you’re going to get married, and your husband-to-be says, ‘I need a tux,’ this is going to go right to his house,” Richards said, holding a large, stylized box.

Inside will be the chosen tuxedo, and after its worn on the big day, it is simply returned in the same box.

“That’s how easy it is,” Richards said.

Those who purchase their tuxedos will have them 30 days before the wedding.

“So you can focus on the caterers, the flowers — because everybody has what they need 30 days in advance,” he said.

If the tuxedos are rented, they’ll have them the entire week before the wedding or event.

He’ll also continue with proms and school formal events, and noted that all weddings and events previously scheduled with Charles X Block will automatically transfer to Blocks Without Bricks.

He recently listed the 251 W. Broad St. building for sale.

“I’m very sad that a business in downtown Tamaqua per se is closing — one that has been here 102 years,” Richards said. “However, the tradition that Charles and Ted Block and Rich Gibson (who worked at the store for 46 years) created will not only continue but will be guaranteed by me personally.”

Richards blamed part of the closing on soaring insurances, maintenance and other expenses.

“This is more of a retirement of this,” he said of the building, “and more of a transformation into Blocks Without Bricks.”

The store will remain open with a half-off sale for the entire month of October.

“As a reward to all of our great and loyal customers that I miss and adore, I am going to sell every single item in this store — that is in stock — at 50% off,” he said.

Charles X Block opened the store in 1923, and his son, Ted, took over in 1964. Richards purchased it in 2010.

For more information, visit www.charlesxblocks.com or contact Richards at 570-301-9544.