A lot has changed since 1904: horse and buggies to hybrids and electrics, top hats to ball hats, downtown canals to IComm Drive. Styles change, businesses relocate, populations grow, plants close, new ones open... life changes. Luckily, for Brantfordians some things always stay the same. Since 1904, Ludlow's Men's Wear has been providing men in Brantford with the newest styles, quality cuts and clothing they can be proud of. Known then as Ludlow Brothers Clothiers, brothers Ott and Charlie Ludlow turned a livery stable on Dalhousie into a men's shop. Ludlow's called downtown Brantford home for over 100 years, a staple of Brantford's retail fabric.
With a move to the north-end over ten years ago, Ott Ludlow's grandson Donald --and now Donald's own son Greg-- have carried on their family's well-tailored history for a new generation of well-dressed men. They're reputation for quality, style, and customer service is stronger than it's ever been, and it's not hard to see why Ludlow's has carried its success across the decades. A visitor to Ludlow's is always warmly welcomed, and whether a new customer or a regular it seems everyone is a friend. It's the quality, well-curated clothing that brings customers to the Lynden Rd. store, and it's the quality of material and customer service that brings them back.
I herded my own husband towards Ludlow's last month when he was searching for a wardrobe refresh to match a new job. As a "shop local" family, Ludlow's seemed the obvious choice for a young professional who knows what he likes, but feels more comfortable with the help of a professional eye. Greg Ludlow, now the fourth generation at the helm of the shop, has a special talent for pairing a tweed pant with a casual jacket, or somehow finding a way to pull off a pair of polka dot slacks. He was patient, he was kind and he understood exactly what my husband was looking for. Meanwhile, I got a view into what men struggle through when their wives just need to take a "quick trip" to the mall. I didn't have a purse to hold, but a jacket did the job.
The best part of the whole trip actually came after my husband's custom tailored shirts, pants and sweaters came home. It's funny how something as simple as clothing can help you feel so much more comfortable and confident. He looks great and he's finally wearing clothes that actually fit. He's excited to get up in the morning and try on a different combination of "just casual enough" grey slack and perfectly tailored dress shirt. He's proud to hit the road, and I'm happy to see the pride he carries with him all day.
The collection of clothing at Ludlow's is well curated, with a dash of fun. Brightly coloured ties, orange-lined brown leather shoes, funky socks and an electric guitar adorned dress shirt peeking out from under polka dots. Greg travels North America seeking out those perfect fit shirts, dressed up denims and custom look kicks. A lot has changed over the years at Ludlow's, while at the same time a lot has stayed the same. Different faces, different style, different location -- same quality, same service, same commitment to the community.
"One of the most important things is the variety of product we have here," Greg Ludlow said. "We're not just a jeans store, we're not just a suit store, you can come in and we have things to wear for every day of the week."
Ludlow's is a true community driven business. Greg says he believes not only that local people should support local businesses, but that local businesses need to support each other as well. Ludlow's is also a big supporter of community charities, with the Brantford General Hospital at the top of the list.
