Shopping Philadelphia: Junior's

When I knew that I was headed to Wayne, PA, for the golf tournament at Aronimink, the first person I reached out to was Glenn Au from Junior’s. I’m interested in what he is building, and I wanted to see it in person. Glenn has always been generous with his time, making connections for me when I needed them and sending me some of his collection when I was displaced from the fires last year. I’m not totally sure how we met originally, but we just get on well. He’s easy to talk to and has a great compass when it comes to menswear.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Glenn cut his teeth at O’Connell’s and offered guidance (on pizza mostly) when I visited a few years ago. After that trip we reveled in just how interesting and unique O’Connell’s is. After leaving Buffalo Glenn spent time working for H. Stockton in Atlanta before settling in Philadelphia. Junior’s started as an online-only brand until he opened this shop in the city center. Glenn and I would see each other in Chicago at the tradeshow there, but I hadn’t had a chance to visit his store until this recent trip. I’m glad I made time to see it as Junior’s is now high on my list of favorite stores.

Over the years I had shopped the online store a lot, but when I arrived in person I launched straight into trying things on. It’s a beautiful space with nice light not far from Rittenhouse Square. The store is handsome and minimal, which allows the clothes to really shine. I quickly bought a linen/wool sportcoat and a button-down shirt. Glenn helped measure me to alter the sleeves slightly and happily answered my many questions about the merchandise over a Labat Blue (which he carefully sources in New Jersey).

After visiting the shop I ran next door to check into my hotel and we confirmed plans to meet Jacob Hurwitz from American Trench, Andrew Li from Franklin & Poe and Joseph Pollard from August Special. Glenn had organized everyone to get together with me for dinner in what I was calling the first meeting of the Philadelphia Menswear Society. I couldn’t help but to appreciate how great it was for Philly to have such a supportive group of guys who would come together in the way they did. The kinship at that dinner was very cool to see and we vowed to organize the next meeting around an event at Junior’s for the fall issue of The Print Edition.

All of this reinforced to me that there’s no one in menswear quite like Glenn. He’s the rare person who understands the history of things, appreciates the provenance but doesn’t let that constrain his larger mission. He looks for fit and style, but also value and make. I respect his commitment to US-made clothing, but also his willingness to avoid being overly dogmatic about made in America. Sometimes things just get silly when brands make the aperture so small. In both the viewpoint at Junior’s and his own personal style, Glenn embraces American, English, and European aesthetics and mixes them in a way that feels both new and familiar.

Glenn is just a great guy with an easygoing nature. He has a nose for quality American menswear and a good sense of humor. He loves to get dressed but he doesn’t take things too seriously. I like that about him. We share a mutual respect, and that’s probably why we have become such fast friends. I love what he is building, I respect his POV, and more than anything, I enjoy hanging out with him just drinking a beer and talking shop. Being there was a reminder of just what a great community menswear can be. Even though clothing can be somewhat trivial, it can also be an amazing pathway to deeper relationships. I found that in Philadelphia at Junior’s, and it’s a welcome reminder that style and substance can co-exist.

While I was visiting I bought this linen and wool sport coat, which looks great and fit me well with just a shortening of the sleeves. It also comes in navy.