Suited, booted: Saks store to shut

Julian Reynolds is closing Saks clothing store in Newmarket in six weeks after 33 years. Photo / Greg Bowker

Newmarket retailing institution Saks is closing its doors after 33 years of top-end men's tailoring.

The clothing store's head, Julian Reynolds, 71, jokingly told the Herald yesterday there were still six weeks until "execution day".

Reynolds came out of retirement to run the business in 2010 after a company that agreed to buy it went into receivership.

Shutting up shop now was a matter of timing, and not only because a six-year lease was coming to an end, he said.

"Much as they want to reduce the rent because that's the way the market's going, I'm 72 this year and I just feel it's time I had a bit of a break."

Selling luxury brands such as Armani, Hugo Boss and Versace, Mr Reynolds developed a number of boutiques in the city before pulling back to his flagship store.

Asian weddings made up a significant portion of work these days, he said.

"I've got customers in here that have been through the mill. Through the 1987 crash, come back strongly. They're wonderful people and we remain very good friends."

But those who passed shop windows daily had given him another reason to quit the business, he said.

"That's the problem: you look out on the street and it doesn't look like I've made a dent and I feel a little bit disillusioned."

Newmarket Business Association general manager Ashley Church said the closure reflected changing tastes.

"The market has moved since Saks has opened. Men probably replace their suits more often now ... so they're perhaps not as conscious of quality as they might have been 20 years ago. It's a real pity for Newmarket because he is an institution."