Jack Fraser: A Toronto Retail Icon
1892–1960
Pine Hills Cemetery
Section K Lot 730
In 1926, Toronto’s east end became home to Jack Fraser’s first menswear shop, at Danforth and Main Avenues, marking the start of a retail story that would help define Canadian style for decades. Fraser, an Irish immigrant, launched his business during a period when Toronto was emerging as a hub of commerce and culture. His stores grew alongside the city’s post-war expansion, reflecting the rise of suburban shopping and the shift from small, independent shops to modern retail chains. By the 1950s, Jack Fraser operated 17 locations across Ontario, and by the late 1960s, the brand was a fixture in Canadian shopping malls, a symbol of changing consumer habits and the growing influence of American-style retail in Canada.
Jack Fraser didn’t just sell clothing; it shaped how Canadian men dressed for work, leisure and special occasions during a time of rapid social change. The company’s partnership with Woolco extended its reach nationwide, making tailored menswear accessible to a broader audience and reinforcing the trend toward affordable, ready-to-wear fashion. When Grafton & Co. acquired the brand in 1967, forming Grafton-Fraser Limited, it signaled a new era of consolidation in Canadian retail – a move toward larger corporate entities that could compete in an increasingly global marketplace.
Although the Jack Fraser name was retired in 2005, its influence lives on through Tip Top Tailors, which boasts more than 100 stores across Canada. From its modest beginnings on Toronto’s east end to its role in shaping national retail trends, Jack Fraser’s story remains a significant chapter in Toronto’s commercial history and a reflection of how local businesses helped define Canadian identity in the 20th century.
Sources:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Jack Fraser
• Jack Fraser Sr. – “A Clothing Chain Built on Value for the Man”
• Wikipedia – GraftonFraser
• Famous Grave Tours – Jack Fraser
