HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-02-15, Page 40= age34
The incept of
formes wear in Canada
How did the concept of renting for-
maiwear start in Canada? The Freeman
family began renting formal clothing by
the day from a store at Yonge and
Wellesley streets in Toronto in 1918
As grandson Sam Freeman recou.tts:
"It started one day when a man came in-
to the store and' balked at buying a suit of
tails he said he would only wear once.
"He offered to rent the suit and bring it
back the next day. My grandfather
recognized an opportunity. It was a con-
cept whose tune had come.
Most clients'make their selections from
a full -colour catalogue. This year the
Large -format Style Selector is 60 pages
long. Company headquarters -are at 111
Bermondsey Road in Toronto.
The 334000 square foot plant includes
hanging space for an inventory of tens of
thousands of suits, shirts and ac-
cessories; a tailoring shop; computerized
order system: dry cleaning plant and
elegant showroom.
"We encourage people to drop in and
try on," says Freeman, whose company
was the first in Canada to offer services
through'rnen's stores.
"Then 'they can order the clothing right
there, or Later at any of our outlets."
The people at Freeman have hundreds
of wedding stories, how they bought a
seat on an aircraft to Halifax to carry a
replacement tuxedo; driving hundreds of
miles on a weekend to replace a shirt
stained in an accident.
"The fact is, we play an important part
in a very special day for our clients. We
. will do whatever it takes, no matter how
unusual, to make The day a success,"
says Freeman.
"We never forget that a customer
started our business. My grandfather us-
ed to say that when you rent from
Freeman, you're buying a suit for one
day — tailored to fit like your own.
A world created especially for the Bride
B R AD SH A W:S h:as been a .special part of
wed d i n g s for more than '92 years.
Beco e a .BRADSHAWS Bride and join
the largest Bridal Registry in the area.
Our Bridal Consultants are trained to help
you desig-n table settings that reflect y..ur
individual style.
Your guests will enjoy BRADS -HAWS
complimentary giftwra.p:along with prices
that w i l l pleasantly :surprise e ver ye•ne .
Make your n)eMing n)ishes come true.RAD S HAWS
i�.
FINE CHINA • CRYSTAL • GIFTWARE
129 Ontario Street (519) 271-6283
Oul of Town? Phone the Chino Line 1-800-265-4569
Members of the bridal party would look stunning in these outfits courtesy of The Wedding
Knot, Clinton, and Bud Gowans Forma➢'Wear, London. Henrietta Boon wears a "Le Mar-
riage" periwinkle taffeta dress with jagged drop waist. and bows at the shoulders. A V -
neckline complements the front and back of the $250 gown. Neil Elliott accompanies her
in an "After Six"white shawl jacket and blacktronsers. His white squire shirt is accented
by a peach satin bowtfe and cumherband. (Melody Falconerphoto
The Bride Cuts
WE CARRY.
Favours for your guests -
baskets, bonbon cups, mini
champagne or brandy
glasses (to hold mints), rib-
bon and nylon tulle in a.
host of colours. Candies
and mints in any'quantity
Glass wine glasses
available on rental basis.
Helium balloons. Per-
sonalized champagne
glasses (with the bride.'s & —
groom's names are also
available)
he Cake
WEDDING CAKES
Rentals -. any size, any
design. Custom made -
your design or ours, fruit
cake or styrofoam
Choose from our large
selection pf tops,
decorating supplies in-
cluding fountains.
Homemade fruit cake. We
will cut and wrap
Homemade Almond Paste
Fruit cake pieces. We have
the wraps, doilies, ribbon,
etc. Decorations. for every
occasion. iBells and -
streamers, etc. I decorate
head tables with a col-
oured cloth covered to lace
P.S. IF YOU SAY to match your dress and
"I -READ YOUR AD" complete it with garland
YOU'LL -RECEIVE 10% OFF My specialty, of course, is
Your -Hall Decoration Supplies cake decorating
cSf Eci,afty cS/ O fz./2E ST cS zack
348-9482 MITCHELL //