A CHRONICLE HERALD CUSTOM PUBLICATION Time to Celebrate Robert Simmonds marks 15 years of fashion in Fredericton Sweat the Details Adding flair to your wardrobe with accessories “Accidental Entrepreneurs” Profiling the Wallace McCain Institute Cool Gadgets Living life in the fast lane ISSUE 13 FALL 2013 Made with pride in Canada coppley.com www.canali.it Available at 400 King Street, Fredericton 506 455 2500 CONTENTS 006 WELCOME 022 FEARLESS FASHION FOOD & DRINK 008 TIME TO CELEBRATE Women’s fashion is an ever-changing 036 MADE TO BE ENJOYED entity Robert Simmonds marks 15 years The world of whisky is opening up of fashion in Fredericton 024 SWEAT THE DETAILS to new connoisseurs 010 UPCOMING EVENTS Adding fl air to your wardrobe with 038 SPICE IT UP accessories can seamlessly update Check out our exciting lineup of Step up your cocktail game with your look and set you apart from in-store events! the help of some spice the pack 012 FALL 2013 & WINTER 2014 040 THE GARRISON FEATURE BRANDS 026 CLASSIC ACCESSORIES Known for its commitment to A timeless look is in the details Apparel, shoe and accessory collec- providing New Brunswick’s largest tions for men and women available 028 TIMING IS EVERYTHING selection of specialty beer at Robert Simmonds A watch does more than just tell time 042 HOT EATS 014 SERVICES Downtown Fredericton has so many GROOMING One-stop shopping for the great places to eat, it can be hard to well-dressed man and woman 030 COLOUR OF SUNSHINE choose Keeping fair-haired clients turning PROFILE heads in Fredericton TECHNOLOGY 015 WALLACE MCCAIN 032 BEST FACE FORWARD 043 COOL GADGETS INSTITUTE Treating your skin isn’t just for women Living life in the fast lane The University of New Brunswick program started by Nancy Mathis 034 A SCENT FOR EVERY MAN 046 HIGH TECH is making waves by helping “acci- Find a scent that speaks to your 21st century technology has an dental entrepreneurs” fi nd their personality and style app for just about anything you way through the business world can imagine TRAVEL AUTO STYLE 035 THE MOORINGS 018 MADE-TO-MEASURE Cast away in your own chartered 048 TURNING HEADS Providing a service that is a cut above boat for a relaxing vacation There is one car in the Mercedes- Benz lineup that truly stands out 4 / ROBERT SIMMONDS PHOTO: KONRAD BAK / 123RF HUGO BOSS CANADA INC. Phone +1 905 739 2677 www.hugoboss.com WELCOME to the 13th issue of Robert Simmonds Magazine Dedicated to our loyal customers, we hope you find this edition informative, entertaining and brimming with the latest looks you’ve come to expect from Robert Simmonds. As this magazine reaches you, the leaves will be turning and once On page 22, speaking with co-owner Linda Mayhew, we showcase again a new style season will be upon us. Each September, with renewed our favourite brands for our expanding women’s department. vigour, our designers bring out the new looks for the season. September And on page 24 we feature the must-haves in fall fashion accessories is truly the most exciting time of year in fashion. that will help you stand out from the crowd. Again this year Robert Simmonds Magazine will keep you up to date Grooming is important as well. On page 30, Fredericton’s Blonde Inc. on trends and highlight our new and classic brands. We will also talks hair care — the blonde experts explain how being a not-so-natural showcase fi ne examples of the quality clothing available in our store. blonde can take its toll on your tresses, but with proper care, can retain a One of New Brunswick’s most impressive business initiatives is stunning look and remain healthy. On page 32 we look at how men can featured on page 15. The Wallace McCain Institute has been helping take good care of their skin while dealing with the sensitizing task of entrepreneurs focus their goals and streamline their businesses with shaving every day. the help of the programs run by New Brunswick native Nancy Mathis. We hope you enjoy the latest issue of Robert Simmonds Magazine, On page 18 we look at custom suits, tailor-made for our customers, and we thank you for your continued loyalty and support. We look and the care that goes into that customization. forward to seeing you in our store soon. Paul PHOTO: NEJRON / 123RF PHOTO: ANNIVERSARY TIME TO CELEBRATE Robert Simmonds marks 15 years of fashion in Fredericton By Tom Mason Photo by Adrien Veczan aul Simmonds was only 14 years old “We added a full women’s department in is just one facet of a business that includes a when he realized he loved the retail 2004,” says Simmonds. “We kept expanding burgeoning Internet presence as well. The Pfashion business. He had just landed an as space became available.” company has been vigorous on social media, after-school job as a stock boy at a Fredericton Simmonds and Mayhew chose the name maintaining active Twitter and Facebook shoe store. Robert — Paul’s actual fi rst name — as an homage accounts, and has developed a popular online At 16, Simmonds moved on to weekend sales to his father and because, as Simmonds says, it shopping site that attracts customers from at a local clothing shop. “I put myself through had a better ring to it. “It also lets me fl y under across Canada. university working there,” he recalls. “By the the radar a bit,” he says. “People often don’t “The business changes every day,” says time I graduated, the fashion business was all realize I’m the owner.” Simmonds, “and the biggest game changer I wanted to do.” When he and his wife Linda Today, Robert Simmonds is celebrating right now is the Internet. It’s important for us Mayhew opened Robert Simmonds Clothing in another milestone, a new expansion that will to have both a shopping presence — a site where 1998, he already had two decades of experience extend the store to 5,000 square feet. Simmonds people can buy online — and a marketing in the business as an employee and later as an and Mayhew are also in the process of carrying presence on the Internet.” ownership partner. out renovations in store. At the same time, the company doesn’t Robert Simmonds set up shop in a century- “We’re very fortunate to work with Edward forget about traditional low-tech marketing old building at the corner of King and York, Webb, a designer based in San Diego, Califor- sources like radio and magazine advertising. taking up 1,800 square feet at fi rst. The building nia,” says Simmonds. “He’s an old family friend “We still write thank you and congratulatory had been a string of retail shops and services and he’s done all our renovations for us. He notes to our customers by hand, in the store,” since 1899, including a bank, an appliance store works with a CAD program and sends the he says. and a fur shop. Robert Simmonds sold high- designs to us electronically. It’s kind of cool.” What doesn’t change is the level of service. quality menswear and some children’s clothing All the fi xtures are purchased in New Brunswick Today Robert Simmonds serves a customer at fi rst, expanding into lady’s fashion about two with contracting work done by local contractors. base that comes from across New Brunswick years after opening. Robert Simmonds’ Fredericton headquarters and beyond; a business success story that backs 8 / ROBERT SIMMONDS up quality and style with an exceptional shopping experience every time. Customers can shop for top brand-name products while they sip a free espresso, and take advantage of helpful touches like an on-site tailor service at the same time. “Whether they come into the store or shop online, our customers Office Suite Rentals come to us because we offer a level of product expertise and service that’s hard to find nowadays.” In Prime Through it all, Simmonds and Mayhew have remained devoted to their community and to taking the business to the next level. Robert Simmonds has been a big supporter of community causes like the Downtown Location Alzheimer Society, Theatre New Brunswick, Silverwave Film Festival, the Fredericton Community Foundation, sports teams, homeless and youth charities and junior achievement. Simmonds has been active on the boards of many groups, including the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Women in Transition House and the Retail Council of Canada. Last year he completed the Wallace McCain Institute’s intensive www.taymax.ca Entrepreneurial Leaders Program. Robert Simmonds will continue to grow and improve by staying focused on the company’s core values, he says. 2PUN:[YLL[-YLKLYPJ[VU5),), “Our customers are our biggest asset. Our growth over the last PcF 15 years has been driven organically by them. But we have another big asset that comes in a close second — our great team.” ROBERT SIMMONDS / 9 EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS Check out our exciting lineup of in-store events October 14 November 25 Made-to-Measure Event Customer Appreciation Week Experience how a custom fi t can enhance your Come celebrate Robert Simmonds’ 15th look at the Coppley and Samuelsohn Made-to- Anniversary during the week of November 25. Measure event. Our specialists will assist you Don’t miss out on the men’s and women’s with fabric selection and fit specifications, giveaway, gift-with-purchase and much more! so you will fall in love with a garment that is See in-store or online for details.