History

Pioneer Formal Accessories is actually made up of two companies that you may know very well, as they have established histories in the formalwear industry: Pioneer Manufacturing and Raffles Formal Accessories.

Pioneer Manufacturing was founded by Barney Alper in Brooklyn, New York. His son, Kenny, succeeded Barney in 1988. Following Kenny's death in 1999, the company was run by his wife Lynne Alper, sometimes assisted by their son, Bryan. We purchased Pioneer Manufacturing in 2006.

Raffles Formal Accessories was founded 1995 and operated by Bette-Anne Corrente and her son Joe Messina. We purchased Raffles Formal Accessories in 2007.

In early 2011, we consolidated Pioneer Manufacturing and Raffles into one name, Pioneer Formal Accessories. We still offer many of the same great products both companies offered for so many years, we just have a new (and less complicated!) name.

Ours is a complex history but it brings us to where we are today. “We” are a team of three that operate out of a historic brick building in downtown Springfield, Missouri. We are a small but happy and efficient family who take pride in what we do.

We appreciate your business and will do everything we can to help you succeed.
- Jeff, Joe and Emily