Lansky Brothers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Clothing) |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Bernard Lansky |
| Headquarters | Memphis , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | Hal Lansky (current operator), Julie Lansky (current operator) |
| Products | Clothing, apparel collections including "Clothier To The King" |
Lansky Brothers, commonly referred to as Lansky's, is a prominent clothier located in Memphis, Tennessee. The store has earned international acclaim as the preferred outfitter for notable musicians such as Roy Orbison, Isaac Hayes, and Elvis Presley.
History
Founded in 1946 at 126 Beale Street in downtown Memphis, Lansky Brothers originally operated by selling surplus Army gear leftover from World War II. Bernard Lansky capitalized on the burgeoning music culture along Beale Street by offering stylish clothing tailored to the distinctive personalities frequenting the area. Within a few years, the store attracted an esteemed clientele including jazz legends like Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, and blues icon B.B. King.
Early in 1952, Bernard observed a young man repeatedly pausing to peer through the shop window without entering. Taking initiative, Bernard invited the teenager inside—this visitor was seventeen-year-old Elvis Presley, then employed at the local Loew's Theatre. Bernard recalled Elvis expressing his ambition to eventually buy out the store once he had sufficient funds. The famous Beale Street historical plaque quotes Bernard’s reply: "Elvis, don't buy me, buy from me!" After Elvis rose to global stardom, Lansky Brothers became his primary source for wardrobe needs, including the outfit he wore during his debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956. Bernard fondly remembered, "I put Elvis in his first suit, and I put him in his last."
In 2001, Lansky's launched a new apparel collection named "Clothier To The King," featuring reproductions of garments originally worn by Elvis alongside new designs inspired by 1950s fashion. Over time, Lansky Brothers relocated from its original Beale Street address to a space within Memphis’ iconic Peabody Hotel. In July 2014, a second store reopened at 126 Beale Street inside the Hard Rock Cafe complex. The store continues to attract contemporary musicians such as The Jonas Brothers, Robert Plant, Eddie Floyd, Stephen Stills, Steven Tyler, Dr. John, and Gavin DeGraw.
To commemorate its legacy, Lansky Bros. installed a historical marker at their original Beale Street location in 2001.
Bernard Lansky passed away on November 15, 2012; according to family sources, he suffered from Alzheimer's disease prior to his death.
Today, Lansky Brothers remains under family management, operated by Bernard’s son Hal Lansky and granddaughter Julie Lansky from their current premises in the Peabody Hotel lobby.