In 1948, Reg Wilkinson had a dream to have the finest menswear store in the north. He borrowed $10,000 from a trusting brother-in-law from British Columbia and the dream became a reality. Since Reg was the youngest of 11 siblings, he had always worn many hand-me-downs, so he promised himself that someday he would open his own menswear store and never wear tattered garments again.

On August 7th, 1948 his promise to himself became a reality when he bought Benjamin’s Work Wear at 87 Durham St. South (now Photo World). After having a clear-out sale on work wear that fall, he started to sell quality menswear. His son, Bob Wilkinson, joined him in 1962 after attending the University of Waterloo. The second generation has now helped grow the business to a larger 1600 square foot space at it’s present location across the street from it’s original location.

In 1970, Reg’s doubled its footprint again to expand into the old ‘Anita Fashion Shoes’ and a forward image was created with Mediterranean tile and custom beam work. For many years, Reg Wilkinson Men’s Fine Clothes has kept Sudbury’s fashionable men coming downtown to be served by caring previous staff such as Aurel Lahaye, John Larose, Ivan Celinscak, and Shawn Kennelly, just to name a few. The hard work of these talented individuals, helped brave the tough years downtown as the urban malls sprouted.