[127.72 MHz]

John Helmer Haberdasher was founded over 90 years ago here in Portland, Oregon. This is the same business where we had an Ask Andy meet not long ago.

Today I received my usual postcard from Portland Oregon men's store John Helmer.

Farewell Southwick.

Unfortunately after some 90 plus years, Southwick will no longer be a manufacture of clothing for retail stores such as ours.

As a final farewell we are offering 20% off.

Select from our Southwick custom order box for Suits, Sport Coats, Tuxedos, Dinner Jackets and Slacks.

Perhaps I missed a a thread here at AAAC where a member had notice of this.

Any comments?

 

[some_dude]

I got the same postcard. I'm pretty sure I'm going to order a suit as part of the sale, mostly to support John Helmer.

I have never ordered from Southwick-- usually I get H. Freeman. Is the consensus that Southwick is better? With 20% off, the pricing is about the same, or maybe even a bit less than H. Freeman.

 

[127.72 MHz]

They are good people.

Most of my shirts are Mercer & Sons.

But about every other month I make a point to purchase a Gitman shirt from John Helmer.

Best wishes,

 

[Oldsarge]

They are great people. If I needed more clothes I'd be in there more often.

 

[Cowtown]

I believe Brooks Brooks, which now owns Southwick, made the decision to shut it down or at least shut down production for independent retailers.

 

[suitman19]

"shut down production for independent retailers "


This.
Will not deal with an independent unless they purchase 400 units up front.
Which means no one basically.
The Southwick quality has dropped far since BB bought them. No better than a standard MTM garment,
no where near the construction of 5 years ago.

 

[127.72 MHz]

^^ Hard to blame them as Brooks Brothers is undoubtedly fighting for their own survival.

A shame though.

 

[Zim]

I just called the store about some shoes they ordered for me. They're having to go to appointments only after today due to the current situation.

When I do come in I'll definitely look at some of their Southwick items. They've been really kind to me, no m after how badly dressed I've been when I walked in or how little knowledge I showed when asking questions.

 

[some_dude]

I made an appointment with John and ordered a Southwick suit. Who knows when it will get here, as I read that Southwick is making surgical masks and PPE right now... But that's okay, I'm not in a rush.