A very suitable business
[attach]4426[/attach]Saul Korman, owner of Korry’s Clothiers for Gentlemen, lives by the motto dress for success.
“I want to work hard and live even harder,” said Korman, an impeccably dressed 77-year-old, who on an average day wears a custom-made monogrammed shirt, a Hugo Boss sport jacket and a perfectly matching tie.
The mostly male staff at his store on the Danforth near Pape Avenue is dressed to the nines in designer labels. They’re knowledgeable about their product and clearly devoted to their patriarch — a few have stayed 20 plus years.
Besides having an eye for style, Korman credits his success to his natural showmanship.
“You’ve got to make it fun,” he said. “It’s all about the sizzle.”
Korry’s Clothiers, which Korman says brings in just under $4-million a year, is a destination spot, drawing clientele from Markham to Mississauga. And while he has dressed professional athletes and celebrities — the walls of his office are plastered with autographed photos — Korman is adamant that even the average Joe also likes to look their best.
Because of the current recession, Korman says it’s more important than ever to dress well. He says it’s harder to get noticed and advises job seekers to invest in decent clothes if they want to land a job or get a promotion.
But it doesn’t come cheap.
“A good suit will cost you $600 and up,” Korman said, adding that his store stocks high-end designers like Canali and Paul and Shark.
The cash-strapped can opt for Korman’s private-label brand, the more affordable (and Canadian-made) Roberto.
Ever since the Quebec native opened up shop in 1958, Korman has long been considered among the top clothiers in the city. He recently received the Retail Council of Canada’s Ambassador Award for his contributions to the retail industry and to the community.
“Small businesses depend on word of mouth and Korman has put the ‘Danny’ on the map,” said John Kiru, executive director of the Toronto Association of BIAs.
Known for his colourful and improvisational radio ads, which his son Shawn swears he cuts five times a day, every day, even on holidays, Korman always makes a point to mention his beloved Greektown.
Korman is one of the founders of the Taste of the Danforth, and for 14 years, he would be on the airwaves promoting the event on the days leading up to the Friday kick off.
“Back when the Danforth was nothing, I would promote the festival on all the major radio stations,” Korman recalled. “I’d do that from five in the morning until eight at night.”
