It’s Time To Say Goodbye

For the benefit of the ones who can't come tomorrow to the farewell party, here's my attempt at speech making: they'll hear it live, you can stop any time you want and tune off…

This is a good time for giving thanks, like in the Oscars, except if you don’t want to hear it – well too bad, you can’t push me off my own stage.

I want to thank all of you for the outstanding support over the years.
This shop turned out to become what I wanted when I dreamed it. Except for the money part.

When it was clean and freshly painted and completely empty, in the spring of 2007 – I performed a purifying ceremony here, burning sage in olive oil and casting away the leftover vibes from the previous occupants, and telling my friend Janice what I want to do here. I think she filmed it on her video camera.
I told her I wanted a place for serenity, beauty, friendship, warmth, music, love and comfort. A place where people came in and felt welcome and wanted to stay. And low and behold – somehow it came to be.

It was not devoid of nastiness in between, not always pink bubbly. But the lessons I’ve learned here are going to last me a lifetime.

I have to thank all my friends for telling me I could do it and should do it, and for listening to my stories over the years, the nice ones and the not nice ones, and share in my deliberations, and their advice and condolences and efforts and of course for shopping here and loving it.

I have to thank Izzy for being the man he is, steady, funny and oh so patient, and for providing the counterpoint to my adventures: he’s been saying for years I should call it quits, and that kept me going just to prove him wrong.

I thank Amitai for the reluctant help over the years, specially the year after my father died and I went into a bit of a slump. He sat here and did his best and kept his mouth shut and his bitching to himself, mostly. I love you.

I thank the devoted shoppers, the weekly visitors, the ones who came once a year to stock up on clothes for the season, the ones who came from far away, other provinces and cities and even countries, the story-tellers, the lovers of fine clothes, the treasure hunters, the converts to second hand shopping, and of course the consignors. You made this experiment worthwhile. Not financially lucrative enough for me to retire in style, but the landlord sure did, and I’m sure he thanks you too.
You warmed my heart with your life stories, sharing with me things that I will never forget. To me money is sweeter when it comes with a good sentiment, a feeling something more valuable than bills has passed between the parties. Of course I continually wished there was more money in this business so I could stop worrying about the rent, but maybe there’s another lesson in there I haven’t figured out just yet.

I even thank the shoplifters and the burglars and the hard-nosed low ballers, who provided the contrast to all the good, and the opportunity to comprehend the desperation of some of us humans, to see face to face the misery of a life that has no capacity for compassion or reflection. I feel they too made the fabric of this experience richer. I don’t forgive and I certainly don’t forget the disappointment I felt, but I learned something from them, and everything you learn is valuable. No one should be walking around believing everyone is good, and be surprised when they meet the bad. Learning to watch out and be careful is one hard lesson to learn.

The most vital thing that I found here is that I learned to know and love mankind, and the man in me. I didn’t know men very well before I did this. I think some of the essence of men surfaced in me, and I like this resilience that I found and I like that I am able to use it when I need it.

And that’s about all there is, folks. I’ll be seeing you.

Saturday April 26 - Party Time

Come to say goodbye.
At the shop, 5-8 PM.
See you there.
RSVP any way you want.

Farewell Party

To all the wonderful people I met over the last 8 years in my little shop of pleasures:
A farewell party is in the wings on the last Saturday of the month of April, at the shop.
By then everything will be out, and we'll have a nice empty space to sip a glass of something and toast the past and the future and everything else we want to remember or celebrate.
So mark your calendars and don't leave town. You can come wearing something fabulous you purchased here or not, I leave that up to you.
Hours of the gathering will be posted at a later date.

Few Weeks Till Lights Out

By April 30 all will be gone.
There are 6 weeks left before our doors close for the last time.
Those wishing to purchase very good clothes for very good prices are encouraged to drop by.
Don't wait until it's too late.

The End

Renaissance Man is closing.

Your last chance to get fabulous for next to nothing.
Get dressed for the Oscars, or for your hot date, or just to be warm, stylish, cool, elegant - you name it.
All winter garments are at 50%, as well as many other items throughout the shop.
(recent arrivals excluded).

On the Airwaves about Bartering

http://www.cbc.ca/ontariotoday/2013/07/02/tuesday-do-you-barter-for-clips-and-services/

A call in show on CBC yesterday took my call. I'm the last caller at the end of the podcast.
There was such a short time to explain the concept, and I was a bit nervous, it's not quite clear how the bartering works for me so let me elaborate:
The consigners who choose to spend their share of the sale in the shop use it as credit on their purchase if it is a larger amount, or a reduction from their purchase if it's smaller.
Another bartering experience I didn't get a chance to talk about is this: I got my piano tuned for the price of an expensive pair of glasses. Both of us, the renowned piano tuner Jamie Musselwhite and I, were very happy. He looks cool in his Oliver People's round glasses, and my piano no longer has a sticky middle F#, a very usable key. Not to mention, there is a consigner out there who is due his share of the glasses. He's happy too.

Accentuating the Positives

These are strange times.
I walk the streets of my neighbourhood and find more and more old architectural treasures in the clutches of "development". It makes me sad and I feel I'm continually mourning my city. Everywhere we go a sign the size of a small apartment pronounces an application to city hall for a redevelopment that promises to replace an old Victorian row house with a tower of an indistinct nature that is going to look like a slum in 20 years or less.
How Pathetic is the state of our nation, that we sit and let it happen without trying to put a stop to it?
Truth is, the building where I am, this little shop, is under the same threat after changing ownership recently. I can see it coming, even though it could be years in the making. The noose is already being tied in some back room of the wheelers and dealers at the planning departments and city councillors, behind the scenes and far from anyone's ears.

That rant over, let's think about the nice things in life, to replace these bitter disappointments with a bit of sweetness.

* Summer vacation. No morning rush, no afternoon classes. Leisurely dinners, movies, rest, warm sunny days in housecoats and nothing else.

* Summer festivals in the city of Doom (this is what I'm calling Toronto from now on) - culture, music, art. Some counterbalance to the greed and ugliness of the "It's not personal, it's business" crowd we have to live with these days. Thank the universe for artists.

* The nasturtiums are blooming - YEA!!!

* A new chimney towers over my house at last, the 100 year old one put to rest (together with a large chunk of money).

* New delightful customers discovering my shop of treasures every day.

Where is Our Summer?

It comes and goes in spurts and fits of rain, wind, cold, with a burst of sunshine tease here and there.
Meanwhile, people get hopeful and shop for summer clothes, of which plenty are to be had at RM.
The latest incoming items and sales include fabulous Boss jackets and suits, fun T shirts and shorts, sandals and shoes. Anything a man of taste and style needs.

One of my favourites still offered is a fine Boss jacket of linen and silk mix - summery, light and elegant. It's in my window, hanging over a Gotstyle stripy cotton shirt, a match made in Heaven.

The jacket is similar to this one:

Out and About

I'm off - even criminals get time off got good behaviour.
The shop is closed until May 16th. Keep an eye on it for me, won't you?

I'll be exploring the wonders of the west coast.
Toodaloo.

Get Ready: Sun Time

There's a nice crop of Sunglasses here.
A pair of Silhouettes, light in weight, dark enough to make you mysteriously fab. $80.
Oliver Peoples old fashion frames, trendy and light. $100.
Hugo Boss, brown lens, $80.
Ray Ban sport light, protective, clingy - $80.


And a special: beautiful Bering watch $100.

Not Spring Yet

But the good guys have been cleaning their closets and I'm getting full again here at RM.
There is a new crop of suits, jackets, shirts and shorts, shoes and my personal favourite: A fabulous Filson bag in military green and brown leather, fit for papers, laptop, or your gym attire, in a pinch. It's in mint condition, and priced generously, $175.

If you couple it with the tweed Boss jacket adoring my mannequin, you'll look fabulous, fashionably pragmatic, and you'll get a little discount too.

Women's Corner

In honor of all the fine ladies who frequent RM, I've dedicated one small rack for women's items. Men, please forgive me.
Now the ladies can browse for themselves while their men enjoy their own selection.
So far all the items are in small size. In the window there is a fabulous short and naughty AX (Armani Exchange) skirt with golden zippers size 28. It's waiting for that special woman who dares to be sexy. Come and try it on. It's worth $50 to have this wrap around your thighs.

While you're at it, look at this blue iridescent duo, hand made glass oysters. Who could resist the vibrant colour and delicate lines? They can be yours forever. Priced at $15 for the pair or $10 each.

Spring Around the Corner?

So they say. I'll believe it when I see it. In the meantime, we're sloshing around the snow puddles, trying not to slide into them.
However, here at RM, I'm clearing space for those fab spring items screaming at you to let them go. Clear your closets and let them be renewed - bring your excellent spring clothes to me.

Clearance Sale

Clearing winter selections, come get the good deals at RM on coats and sweaters, pants and jeans, suits and shoes.

Boot Fashion, Boot Passion

I LOVE boots.
There's nothing that says "I'm alive" more than a good pair of boots. To say nothing about how they can make or break your look.
There are boots, and there are boots.

Today the right kind, two new different pairs, are in my window:
This is a special edition JPG (Jean Paul Gaultier, if I must spell it out), laces in front, zipper in the back for comfort:

And this one, by Good Year, half laces in front, half on the side:

2013 Here We Come

Happy New Year, one and all.

This is what my window looked like during the holidays:
* A magnificent and rare printed silk jacket from Liberty of London - $200.
* Beautiful Boss sparkly casual sports jacket - $85.
* Ray Ban sunglasses, Prada Sunglasses, Boss sunglasses - $85.
* A frosty little tree with white lights and balls, with an angel standing by - priceless.

Boxing Sale News

Come and check out the great sale at RM - all suits and jackets, shoes and shirts, leather jackets and pants are 50% off.
It won't last forever.

Meanwhile, at RM, Fall with Style.

New arrivals of shoes, tweeds, wool coats and other treasures are filling the gaps (there are no gaps) on my racks.
There's a beautiful black leather Roots bag, brand new. Compact and perfect in every way.
There are some suits to die for named Prada, Zegna, Paul Smith and Canali.
And as always, there's me, giving you the sound advise you want when shopping. Come and get it.

New Arrivals

Those of you who are thinking ahead, planning what to wear to a special holiday event for example, must come by and check out the fantastic additions to my racks. Some exquisite jackets by the great master Armani, and some of his competitors. These garments would make any man look and feel sophisticated, well packed, and cosy. Most of them are in size 40R, but not all. Please come.

More Shoes

I have a fascination with shoes. Always have, always will.
Luckily, some of the customers are similar. They bring shoes to consign, and they buy shoes from me, and the exchange is simply marvellous.
So we have some good ones, newly arrived, and those who share this fetish and need a fix, come by and see if you can get lucky.