The Ultimate Toronto Thread

[mebiuspower]

BB has been dying for many years now...

 

[othertravel]

The larger problem is that it's harder to succeed in the middle market these days. Cucinelli, LP, H&M, and Zara, are doing well. But brands like BB suffered.

 

[mebiuspower]

 

[RapFan]

Honestly, who cares about BB in this day and age. There is nothing in their stores that excites me. Black fleece was interesting, but that's it

 

[7_rocket]

I’ve never seen more than 5 people simultaneously at BB so not sure what is so sad. In general, the fact that Canadian peeps crave and are dominated by US culture makes it ironic when American companies have to exit a market like Toronto.

Oh well….

Agreed on never seen more than 5 ppl in the store. I once bought a pair of AE shoes from there and it wasn't a pleasant experience. Very pretentious attitudes

 

[othertravel]

Honestly, who cares about BB in this day and age. There is nothing in their stores that excites me. Black fleece was interesting, but that's it

When it came to shoes, they were probably one of the best stockists in Canada.

The Peal shoes were made by C&J, Church's, Sargent, and Loake. Not to mention their Edward Green line.

Derek Guy is very well-versed in the history of the company, and he wrote that BB's reputation came from the fact that they stocked from the best makers in the world. Since the company got sold, they went much further downmarket (example, Aldo now makes their shoes).

 

[TimothyF]

When it came to shoes, they were probably one of the best stockists in Canada.

The Peal shoes were made by C&J, Church's, Sargent, and Loake. Not to mention their Edward Green line.

Derek Guy is very well-versed in the history of the company, and he wrote that BB's reputation came from the fact that they stocked from the best makers in the world. Since the company got sold, they went much further downmarket (example, Aldo now makes their shoes).

That's at least 5 years in the rear view mirror. They lost their DNA when they abandoned their last root in the American traditional look. Now nothing differentiates them from Nordstrom or Banana Republic

 

[RapFan]

IMO what we need is better range of British tailoring here. The weather in Canada calls for more British suits and fabrics than it does Neopolitan.

Saks tried by bring Lutwyche along, unfortunately it wasn't rolled out well. I bought 2 sportcoats and a suit and they are Brioni level good (maybe even better). I can wear them in ugly weather and they can take a beating.

 

[Jamesbond1]

IMO what we need is better range of British tailoring here. The weather in Canada calls for more British suits and fabrics than it does Neopolitan.

Saks tried by bring Lutwyche along, unfortunately it wasn't rolled out well. I bought 2 sportcoats and a suit and they are Brioni level good (maybe even better). I can wear them in ugly weather and they can take a beating.

I live in Canada and enjoy tweed, flannel in Neapolitan tailoring! I think tailoring and style is preference regardless of weather. Tweed and Flannel fabrics are made in mills all over the world.

Spier and Mackay has cult following in Canada! It is all Chinapolitan!

 

[othertravel]

I live in Canada and enjoy tweed, flannel in Neapolitan tailoring! I think tailoring and style is preference regardless of weather. Tweed and Flannel fabrics are made in mills all over the world.

Spier and Mackay has cult following in Canada! It is all Chinapolitan!

You need 66% less exclamation points.

 

[Jamesbond1]

You need 66% less exclamation points.

You need to post the next Harry Rosen sales. Make sure it’s 66% or more to get your point across on this thread.

 

[othertravel]

You need to post the next Harry Rosen sales. Make sure it’s 66% or more to get your point across on this thread.

Deal!

 

[partenopean]

I think you missed the fact that Brooks Brothers is not catering to the general population of the people of Toronto regardless of the points you make. BB assumedly was catering to clothing enthusiasts who would/should have appreciated them having a physical presence in Toronto yet failed in this market. The price of mens tailored clothing in this city is outrageous - does not compute for me personally.

Let me take this conversation back to the point -- this is about BB closing physical stores in Toronto.

This is not about the decline and death of the BB company from 2016 to 2024. That is a separate issue, and one involving corporate greed, changing American consumer preferences, changing American business wear, and clothing and work/going out changes brought on my the coming and going of the covid-19 pandemic.

In this forum, we are not corporate strategy historians. We are clothing enthusiasts. Or supposed to be, assuming we are not re-sellers or small-business owners shilling ourselves...

My point is the person who would have been BB's customer in Toronto failed them, leading to store closures.
Why?

Such people don't exist in Toronto anymore. They have gone into secluded retirement homes to die, or have left the city.

The vacuum is filled by people who subsist on cheap cigarettes, wear goodwill clothes, and think foodbanks are free food! Who, they ask, would be so stupid to pay for food in stores, if you can scavenge it for free at foodbanks?

Which brings me to my other point -- is it because they are short of money?
Hellllllll nooooooo!
It is because these people don't believe in spending money to live well, or even to live.

Life, for them, is something to be eeked out by working and smoking, until death by diphtheria or lung cancer ends it.

Money, for them, is something to be hoarded, to be invested in real estate.


That's all.