At 207 years old and the oldest retailer in the U.S., Brooks Brothers‘ flagship in New York City is finally here! Located at 195 Broadway, the 10,000 sq ft store re-establishes a footprint in Lower Manhattan where the fashion brand was launched more than two centuries ago.
Brooks Brothers Opens In New York
Founded in 1818 by Henry Sands Brooks, Brooks Brothers began as a modest men’s haberdashery named H. & D.H. Brooks & Co., in New York City. Over time, the business grew and was renamed “Brooks Brothers” in honour of Brooks’ four sons. The fashion brand has played a significant role in American fashion history, operating a flagship store in the Financial District for more than four decades. After that location closed in 2018, Brooks Brothers now returns downtown with a 10,000-sq-ft, two-level store in the historic Western Union Telegraph Building at 195 Broadway.
The new store’s design pays homage to the building’s architectural heritage while offering a modern retail experience. The flagship offers a selection from its men’s and women’s collections of tailored apparel and sportswear designed by Creative Director Michael Bastian, as well as in-store exclusives. Brooks Brothers continues to be a symbol of American style, adapting its historic roots to serve new generations of customers in a landmark address.
Bridging the past, present, and future of the brand, the store incorporates a rotating exhibition of historic items from the brand archives, such as an exact replica of Abraham Lincoln’s Great Coat created by Brooks Brothers for Lincoln’s second inauguration, and an antique mirror from the Brooks Brothers store of that era. To celebrate the opening, Brooks Brothers hosted a reception followed by an intimate dinner hosted byCEO Ken Ohashi and Creative Director Michael Bastian. Special guests included Catalyst Brands LLC CEO Marc Rosen, comedian Ego Nwodim, film producer Mia Criss, and actor Claybourne Elder.
Brooks Brothers Opens In New York
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About Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers, established in 1818 by Henry Sands Brooks in New York City, is recognized as America’s oldest clothing retailer. Originally founded as a modest clothier for the city’s burgeoning business class, the brand quickly gained a reputation for quality menswear, particularly its ready-to-wear suits and shirts. Throughout the 19th century, Brooks Brothers became synonymous with classic American style, serving prominent figures including U.S. presidents like Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, which cemented its status as a symbol of American tradition and sartorial elegance.
Over the decades, Brooks Brothers expanded its offerings and geographic footprint, opening numerous stores across the United States and internationally. The brand was innovative in its early adoption of the ready-to-wear model and popularized iconic styles such as the button-down collar shirt, which became a staple in men’s fashion. The company also introduced collaborations and new product lines, maintaining its reputation for timeless, high-quality apparel. Its influence extended into American culture, often associated with professionalism, heritage, and preppy style.
In recent years, Brooks Brothers faced challenges from the rise of fast fashion retailers, leading to financial struggles. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2020 but quickly emerged in 2021, when it was acquired by Authentic Brands Group, marking a new chapter for the historic American brand. The acquisition allowed Authentic Brands Group to leverage its portfolio of licensed and owned brands to revitalize Brooks Brothers’ legacy, expanding its global reach and modernise its offerings while preserving its heritage of classic American style. Today, Brooks Brothers remains a significant name in fashion retail, maintaining its commitment to quality craftsmanship and heritage while adapting to contemporary consumer needs through digital expansion and new store concepts.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
