Brooks Brothers Closes Its Doors, But Leaves Hope for Return
Ed Fuentes
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — When Lawyer Samuel Terry went back to work from a late lunch, he decided to purchase a shirt. He didn't know he was walking in to Brook Brothers its the final day. "It's sad to see this place go," he says.
Except for the sign at the door thanking customers, and advising them of other locations, there's no sign of any urgency. Some corners of the store were empty, and by Friday and Saturday boxes were ready to be shipped to the company's Beverly Hills Store.
Items were still folded carefully or hung with great care, and a very well tailored staff with measuring tapes draped across their neck stood waiting to check inseams.
The aura of the long-time downtown clothier remained dignified in its final days. If items would even take a small dive south, that would be such a sign of despair and management simply won't have it.
The message is so Brooks Brothers.
The store has occupied a number of different Downtown spaces over the years. It opened in November of 1939, with a sales office on the 7th floor of the Pacific Mutual building at 6th and Olive. By 1947 the store had moved to 714 S. Hill, and in 1948 it could be found at the Roosevelt Building, 727 W. 7th.
They expanded the store in 1958, but then in May of 1965 opened a "fine new major branch" at 7th and Grand, in the space that now holds Bottega Louie. The old logo text could still be seen until the Brockman building's recent renovation.
The current location at Figueroa and Wilshire opened in 1989.
Still, 71 years of tradition isn't necessarily lost. In an email this afternoon to the Downtown News, Claudio Del Vecchio, the company's chairman & CEO, said that the firm had hoped to open in the Grand Avenue Project, but ran out of time in their current lease. "We are actively searching for alternate locations in the event that the Grand doesn’t come to fruition," he told the paper.
The American Caliban (@substitute) on March 22, 2010, at 06:16PM – #1
Thank you for this. They forgot to tell me the store was closing forever and I almost didn't pick up my suit! Got there with 2 minutes to spare due to your tweet.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on March 22, 2010, at 06:33PM – #2
I bet that had to be a pretty rushed ten minutes. Glad to hear we could help.
Guest on March 23, 2010, at 12:26PM – #3
I'm sorry to see brooks brothers go. Downtown LA needs to work with clothing retailers to get them to set up shop along 7th Street again - there needs to be a core of shops from Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, Gap, etc. Downtown has the population for these chain retailers. I know some may not like chains but they will help support the smaller stores that congregate around the chains. Bring Brooks Brothers back soon!!!
Guest on March 24, 2010, at 08:22PM – #4
The time for Brooks Bros has passed us by. No longer are male bankers required to wear anything dressier than a casual pair of pants (dockers anyone?), and an open collar long sleeve shirt. Now whether you buy that shirt at B/Bros for too much, or Target for $15 (Merona on sale) is up to you. But the clothing mandate(pun intended)is over. Even lawyers no longer need ties or suits on anything called a regular basis.
Guest on March 26, 2010, at 10:45AM – #5
The Downtown BB is where I learned what a "button down" shirt was when my uncle outfitted me for Boarding School way back in 1976. So sorry to see it go
Guest on April 14, 2010, at 11:37AM – #6
I've Been A "Brooks" Man For Over 50 Years & I'm Shocked At The Wilshire Store Closing & The "Letting" Go Of The Marvelous Staff. This Is Indeed A Dark Day, CEO Claudio Del Vecchio Certainly Must Open Brooks In L.A. Or Pasadena, We All Hope & Pray.