Grafton-Fraser
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedCanadian men's apparel retailer operating specialty clothing chains across the country.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Grafton-Fraser is a Canadian men's apparel retail business whose history reaches back to a dry-goods, millinery and clothing shop established by James Beatty Grafton in Dundas, Ontario, in 1853. The enterprise developed through a succession of family and corporate identities before becoming Grafton-Fraser Limited in 1967, when Grafton & Co. acquired Jack Fraser Stores. Over time, the company expanded from a regional Ontario retailer into a national operator with stores in multiple men's clothing segments. The business has historically used a portfolio approach rather than relying on one store format. Its principal retail chains have included Tip Top Tailors, George Richards Big & Tall, Mr. Big & Tall and Kingsport Clothiers. Earlier operations included Jack Fraser Menswear, Grafton & Co., Dapper Dan, Stonehouse Menswear and a Canadian Timberland retail division. The chains served different customer needs, including tailored clothing, business and occasion apparel, casualwear, and specialist sizing for big-and-tall customers. A major phase of expansion followed the 1967 combination with Jack Fraser. The Jack Fraser chain grew beyond Ontario during the late 1960s and early 1970s, including participation in Woolco's menswear departments, and reached stores in every Canadian province by 1976. In 1977, Grafton-Fraser acquired George Richards Kingsize Clothes, adding a major specialty format for larger-sized men's apparel. The company also experimented with additional concepts, including Dapper Dan and the upscale Grafton & Co. format. The recession of the early 1990s led Grafton-Fraser to narrow its focus. It divested footwear, home furnishings, women's and children's departments, leased department activities and non-Canadian operations, emerging in 1992 around three core chains: Grafton & Co., Jack Fraser Menswear and George Richards Big & Tall Menswear. Ownership subsequently changed, with Cadillac Fairview holding a majority stake for a period and Stonehouse holding the remainder. Glenn Stonehouse later acquired Cadillac Fairview's shares and became the company's controlling owner and chief executive. The company expanded again in the late 1990s and 2000. It acquired the Canadian operations of Repp's big-and-tall stores from the bankrupt Edison Brothers Stores in 1999, relaunching them as Mr. Big & Tall. It also entered a franchise relationship involving Timberland retail stores. In July 2000, Grafton-Fraser acquired Tip Top Tailors, Weston Apparel and San Remo Knitting and importing from Dylex. Weston Apparel and San Remo were later divested, while the Tip Top acquisition substantially increased the scale of the retail business. In 2005, Grafton-Fraser retired the Jack Fraser name and converted the remaining stores to Tip Top Tailors where appropriate. This reflected management's view that Tip Top Tailors had stronger consumer recognition. In 2007, Stonehouse sold majority ownership to Gordon Brothers Group. Subsequent restructuring and financial difficulties led to bankruptcy proceedings and the closure of several operations. The Timberland division ended in 2007–2008, Grafton & Co. stores were combined with Stonehouse Menswear, and the Stonehouse retail chain was closed in 2010. The Stonehouse merchandise label continued to be used within Tip Top Tailors. The company's continuing retail presence has been associated primarily with Tip Top Tailors, Mr. Big & Tall and George Richards.
History
Grafton-Fraser traces its origins to 1853, when James Beatty Grafton, after apprenticing in the dry-goods trade, joined Anthony Gregson in opening a Dundas, Ontario, shop called Gregson & Grafton. Gregson retired in 1858, after which Grafton operated with his brother John under the name J.B. & J.S. Grafton Co. James John Grafton, the founder's son, joined as a full partner in 1884, prompting another name change to Grafton & Co. The retailer expanded beyond Dundas in the late nineteenth century. A second branch opened in Owen Sound in 1889, followed by additional southern Ontario locations in Peterborough, Hamilton, London, Brantford and Woodstock. In 1900, Grafton & Co. built a factory opposite its original store, allowing it to manufacture merchandise carrying its High Grade trademark. By the 1960s, the company had become a recognized Ontario retailer with eight stores. Jack Fraser Stores was founded in Toronto in 1926 and developed a reputation for value in men's and boys' clothing. It expanded to a substantial south-central Ontario chain and also sold menswear through Woolco departments, providing exposure outside its core store network. On July 19, 1967, Grafton & Co. acquired Jack Fraser Stores and became Grafton-Fraser Limited. Management then pursued a national rollout of the Jack Fraser format, beginning in 1969. By 1976, the chain had reached its eightieth store and had locations in every Canadian province. The 1977 acquisition of George Richards Kingsize Clothes added a specialist big-and-tall business to the portfolio. During the early 1980s, Grafton-Fraser also operated Dapper Dan, a jeans and casualwear chain, and in 1984 introduced Grafton & Co. as an upscale men's specialty format focused on fashionable sportswear and casual clothing. The recession of the early 1990s prompted a major strategic contraction. Grafton-Fraser disposed of footwear, home furnishings, women's and children's departments, leased department activities such as its Woolco operations, and non-Canadian ventures. In 1992, the reorganized company centered on Grafton & Co., Jack Fraser Menswear and George Richards Big & Tall Menswear. Ownership changed at the same time: Cadillac Fairview acquired 75 percent while Stonehouse retained 25 percent. Glenn Stonehouse became president and chief executive and acquired Cadillac Fairview's entire interest in 1994. Stonehouse led another expansion phase late in the decade. In 1999, Grafton-Fraser bought the Canadian Repp big-and-tall operations from bankrupt U.S. retailer Edison Brothers Stores. The stores were repositioned and relaunched under the Mr. Big & Tall name. The company also became a franchise operator for Timberland retail stores and opened flagship locations combining Timberland footwear and clothing. In July 2000, Grafton-Fraser bought Tip Top Tailors, Weston Apparel and San Remo Knitting and importing from Dylex. The company quickly sold Weston and San Remo, but retained Tip Top Tailors. The acquisition roughly doubled the business's scale. Kingsport Clothiers was also brought into the portfolio. In 2005, Grafton-Fraser retired the Jack Fraser name and converted stores to Tip Top Tailors where overlap or local economics made that appropriate, reflecting the stronger recognition of the Tip Top banner. A further ownership transition occurred in May 2007, when Stonehouse sold majority control to Gordon Brothers Group. The subsequent years were marked by restructuring and bankruptcy-related difficulties. The Timberland division was closed during 2007 and 2008. Grafton & Co. stores were combined with Stonehouse Menswear, and the Stonehouse retail chain was closed in 2010, although the Stonehouse merchandise name continued within Tip Top Tailors. The company's continuing Canadian retail identity has been associated principally with Tip Top Tailors, George Richards and Mr. Big & Tall, alongside Kingsport Clothiers.
- 2010
Stonehouse retail chain closes
[1]The Stonehouse Menswear retail chain was closed, while the Stonehouse merchandise label continued within Tip Top Tailors.
- 2007
Majority ownership passes to Gordon Brothers Group
[1]Stonehouse sold majority control of the company to Gordon Brothers Group.
- 2005
Jack Fraser stores are rebranded
[1]Grafton-Fraser retired the Jack Fraser name and used Tip Top Tailors for continuing stores where appropriate.
- 2000
Tip Top Tailors is acquired
[1]The company purchased Tip Top Tailors and related businesses from Dylex, substantially increasing its size.
- 1999
Repp operations are relaunched as Mr. Big & Tall
[1]Grafton-Fraser acquired the Canadian Repp big-and-tall operations and returned them to the Mr. Big & Tall name.
- 1994
Stonehouse obtains full ownership
[1]Glenn Stonehouse acquired Cadillac Fairview's remaining interest after the 1992 ownership restructuring.
- 1992
Company emerges from reorganization
[1]Following a strategic retrenchment, Grafton-Fraser concentrated on three core men's retail chains.
- 1984
Grafton & Co. upscale format launches
[1]The company introduced an upscale men's specialty concept focused on fashion sportswear and casual clothing.
- 1977
George Richards Kingsize Clothes is acquired
[1]Grafton-Fraser added a major Canadian big-and-tall men's clothing chain to its retail portfolio.
- 1976
Jack Fraser reaches national coverage
[1]The Jack Fraser expansion reached its eightieth store and locations in every Canadian province.
Products and positioning
A Canadian multi-format men's apparel retailer spanning value-oriented tailoring, mainstream menswear, casual clothing and specialized big-and-tall sizing.
Men's tailored apparel · 1909
Tip Top Tailors
A major Grafton-Fraser retail chain focused on men's suits, tailoring, business clothing and related occasion apparel. The chain originated in Toronto in 1909 and historically manufactured its own merchandise, including military uniforms during the Second World War. It became the principal successor to the Jack Fraser store network after the 2005 name consolidation.
Big-and-tall men's apparel · 1977
George Richards Big & Tall
A specialist men's clothing format serving customers who require extended sizes and proportions. It entered the Grafton-Fraser portfolio through the 1977 acquisition of George Richards Kingsize Clothes and remained one of the company's core specialty retail concepts.
Big-and-tall men's apparel · 1999
Mr. Big & Tall
A big-and-tall men's apparel chain created through the 1999 acquisition and repositioning of Canadian Repp stores. The relaunch restored the Mr. Big & Tall identity and was intended to reconnect the business with its Canadian origins and target customer base.
Men's apparel retail
Kingsport Clothiers
A men's clothing retail chain associated with Grafton-Fraser's portfolio after the company's expansion in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Available reference material identifies the chain but does not provide sufficient detail to describe its assortment or current footprint more precisely.
Men's apparel retail · 1926
Jack Fraser Menswear
The historic menswear chain acquired by Grafton & Co. in 1967. It expanded nationally and operated through both standalone stores and Woolco menswear departments before the brand was retired and stores were generally converted to Tip Top Tailors in 2005.
Upscale men's apparel · 1853
Grafton & Co.
The original Grafton retail identity and, from 1984, an upscale men's specialty format emphasizing high-fashion sportswear and casual clothing. Its stores were later merged with Stonehouse Menswear, and the Stonehouse retail chain closed in 2010.
Branded footwear and apparel retail · 1999
Timberland retail stores
Grafton-Fraser operated Timberland-branded retail stores under a franchise arrangement beginning in the late 1990s. The division grew to nine stores before being closed during 2007 and 2008.
Marketing campaigns
- 1999Mr. Big & Tall relaunch
Canada
Following its acquisition of the Canadian Repp big-and-tall stores, Grafton-Fraser repositioned the business and relaunched it under the Mr. Big & Tall name in a large fall media campaign.
Outcome. The Repp operations were returned to a Canadian-oriented identity within Grafton-Fraser's specialty big-and-tall portfolio.
Brand decisions
2007
Sell majority ownership to Gordon Brothers GroupM&ABackground
After Glenn Stonehouse had controlled the company since the mid-1990s, a new ownership transition was undertaken.
Action taken
Stonehouse sold majority ownership of Grafton-Fraser to Gordon Brothers Group.
Aftermath
The subsequent period involved management changes, operating retrenchment and financial distress that ultimately led to bankruptcy-related difficulties.
2005
Consolidate Jack Fraser stores under Tip Top TailorsStrategyBackground
Management considered Tip Top Tailors more recognizable than the Jack Fraser name.
Action taken
The company retired the Jack Fraser name and converted continuing Jack Fraser stores to Tip Top Tailors where appropriate, retaining the more profitable store when both banners overlapped.
Aftermath
The decision simplified the store portfolio and made Tip Top Tailors the principal mainstream menswear banner.
2000
Acquire Tip Top Tailors and related Dylex assetsM&ABackground
Grafton-Fraser pursued substantial expansion through the purchase of Dylex's Canadian apparel operations.
Action taken
The company acquired Tip Top Tailors, Weston Apparel and San Remo Knitting and importing, later divesting Weston and San Remo.
Aftermath
Tip Top Tailors became a central banner and the company's overall store base and operating scale approximately doubled.
1999
Acquire and relaunch Canadian Repp operationsM&ABackground
Edison Brothers Stores entered bankruptcy, making its Canadian Repp big-and-tall operations available.
Action taken
Grafton-Fraser acquired the operations, reworked the merchandise mix and restored the Mr. Big & Tall name.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the company's specialist big-and-tall presence in Canada.
1992
Concentrate on men's apparelStrategyBackground
The early-1990s recession prompted Grafton-Fraser to reassess a diversified operating structure.
Action taken
The company exited footwear, home furnishings, women's and children's departments, leased department operations and non-Canadian activities, focusing on three men's apparel chains.
Aftermath
Grafton-Fraser emerged from reorganization as a narrower men's apparel retailer built around Grafton & Co., Jack Fraser Menswear and George Richards Big & Tall Menswear.
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