CLOSURE: Popular chain clothing retailer closes store in Toronto

After 40 years, a popular Canadian clothing chain has closed its first store in Toronto.

Club Monaco has “quietly vacated” its original store at 403 Queen St. W., according to a story in Retail Insider.

The brand, known for its luxury casual clothing and “better basics,” was founded in the 1980s by Canadians Joe Mimran, Saul Mimran and Alfred Sung. The first store opened on Sept. 5, 1985. 

“The first Club Monaco store opened on Queen Street West in Toronto with lines around the block,” the company says on its website.

The Queen Street location opened with much fanfare — a large canvas covered the building, resembling a brown paper package wrapped in string. Under the package, a world-famous Monaco casino was painted on the front facade.

The first Club Monaco store opened at 403 Queen St. W. in 1985. Photo: Google Maps

After that, the company expanded quickly, stores opened “at the rate of one a month” for the first four years.

In 1987, Monaco Group separated the Alfred Sung name from Club Monaco — the Alfred Sung brand continued under Mimran Group Inc. Club Monaco was sold in the spring of 1999 to Polo Ralph Lauren, in a much publicized acquisition, Alfred Sung notes.

Club Monaco expanded across North America, occupying premium malls and high-profile street-front locations, Retail Insider notes.

In May 2021, Ralph Lauren Corporation sold Club Monaco to Los Angeles-based private equity firm Regent LP, and Club Monaco has been slowly winding down its brick-and-mortar stores in recent years.

The company closed its flagship location in the historic Lilian Massey building at 157 Bloor St. W. in early 2021. It had occupied a part of the building since March 1996.

Other closures include the Robson Street location in Vancouver in 2024, CF Toronto Eaton Centre in June 2025, Halifax Shopping Centre in mid-January 2025, and a men’s store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the fall of 2025.

Greater Toronto Area residents can still find stores in Yorkdale Shopping Centre and CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto, Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga, Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills, and Promenade Shopping Centre in Thornhill.

Lead photo: Tim Mossholder