Bigsby & Kruthers
 | |
| Company type | Privately held |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Joe Silverberg |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. |
Key people | Gene Silverberg |
| Products | Clothing |
Bigsby & Kruthers operated as a prominent men's clothing retailer in Chicago for three decades, from its establishment in 1970 until its closure in 2000. The private enterprise was initiated by Joe Silverberg, who was soon joined by his brother H. Gene Silverberg; both brothers began their careers as young vendors on Maxwell Street.
Locations
Originally launched as a modest jeans and menswear surplus outlet at Broadway and Briar Streets, the brand expanded to feature upscale suit boutiques at prestigious addresses including the Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park (1750 N. Clark Street), Water Tower Place, 10 S. LaSalle Street, Oakbrook Center, and Northbrook Court, the latter emphasizing women's apparel. Additional stores were opened and later shuttered or relocated, such as those on Diversey Parkway near Clark Street, within Woodfield Mall, Brickyard Mall, an outlet at Gurnee Mills, a Dallas location inaugurated in 1986, and a franchised store in Madison, Wisconsin.
Bigsby & Kruthers distinguished itself by offering European-inspired tailoring and fashion-forward styles, setting it apart from more conventional competitors like Paul Stuart.
Recognition
Beyond its apparel offerings and customer service, the retailer earned acclaim for its innovative and award-winning store designs, including expansive tie displays, as well as its marketing strategies and connections with celebrities. Notable advertising efforts featured a widely publicized multi-sided mural on their warehouse adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway, along with "Suit Books" showcasing portraits of Chicago personalities, plus extensive radio, television, print, and billboard campaigns. The brand attracted an elite clientele comprising prominent sports figures—such as Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson, Frank Thomas, Sammy Sosa, and members of the Chicago Bears—as well as news anchors, political figures, actors, and corporate executives.
Bigsby & Kruthers garnered national and international media attention with features in publications like Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Forbes, The New York Times, and GQ. Esquire Magazine ranked it among the top ten specialty retailers across the United States. The Silverberg brothers appeared on various national and local television programs including NBC's The Today Show. Additionally, a fictional Bigsby & Kruthers storefront appears during the mall chase sequence of the film The Blues Brothers.
In 1989, the company introduced Knot Shop (initially called "Knot Krazy"), a now-defunct chain of 35 stores specializing in ties along with scarves and boxer shorts; notably, Monica Lewinsky was employed there prior to her White House internship. The business also extended into ventures such as Bigsby's Bar & Grill, Michael Jordan's Restaurant, and several licensing agreements.
The chain's eventual shutdown was largely due to the widespread shift towards casual attire that impacted many similar retailers, compounded by Bigsby & Kruthers’ significant financial leverage.