‘It’s my DNA:’ Elwood Flynn gets ready to say goodbye after 68 years in menswear business

A Saskatoon icon is saying goodbye.

Elwood Flynn, the owner of Elwood Flynn Ltd. in downtown Saskatoon, will be closing up shop at the end of May.

Flynn, now 91 years old, joined Gormley on Wednesday morning to look back on his career, which began 68 years ago.

“I’ve always liked clothes. I’ve always tried to keep up with the times and adapt them to our area. That’s the thing that’s so good about the business, the changing … Men had to become more fashionable. Clothes make that person fresh and it’s important to make that first impression,” he said.

The choice to close wasn’t an easy one for Flynn.

“Quite honestly, it was tough. It’s my DNA. It’s in my system, the menswear business. I’ve reached a pretty ripe old age, and I had a leg injury about two years ago that slowed me down. COVID-19 doesn’t help business; it’s slowed down a bit too,” he said.

“I will miss the business. I love the business. I love all the people that are involved, from customers to suppliers, and you make some of your best friends you’ll ever have.

“For a lot of people, it’s a good place to go and have a coffee with the staff and visit with the other people that drop by. I know of no other business where you meet lifelong friends that really are meaningful … Menswear has a very unique record on that account.”

Beginning Thursday, the store will start its storewide sale in preparation for the final days at the end of May.

During Flynn’s chat with Gormley, he opened up about some of the interesting characters who rolled through the store over the past seven decades. You can listen to the full interview below: