Montrealers are lucky – we don’t have to travel all the way across the world to buy a famous Hong Kong suit, since we live right here on the circuit of at least two traveling tailoring companies. The Tailored Man and Maxwell’s are here this week and at the end of next week, respectively.

Both Maxwell’s and The Tailored Man arrive at our doorstep at regular intervals to fit men and women for suits and shirts. These men know how to do a Savile Row type of suit fitting with nineteen different measurements. The suits can be ordered in a myriad of duty-free fabrics from all over the world. With the low cost of labor and no duty to pay, you can own a custom-tailored suit for as little as about $395. A custom shirt can be had for as low as $45 – and that could be for delicious Egyptian or Sea Island cotton, too.

It’s all in the details when you buy made-to-measure. Shirts usually have fuse collar and cuffs, cuff pleats, a seven button placket front, sleeve gauntlet opening with button, center box pleat at back and your monogram on a cuff or shirt pocket.

Suit jackets are designed with five inside pockets and two hidden pockets within the outer pockets, and even sport sweat shields in the armpits. The pants can be lined, which adds another layer for warmth in winter and lends a slinky feel. It also contributes extra life to the crotch and thighs. The inner waist band has a rubberized trim which holds your shirt in, and also sports buttons for suspenders, for those who wear them.

The Tailored Man still makes a “surgeon’s cuff”, which is a subtle way of letting it be known you are wearing a custom suit. In this style the four buttons at the end of your sleeve have buttonholes that can actually open. In the “olden days”, surgeons might have had to deliver a baby or provide some sort of medical intervention wherever they were, so they would need to be able to open all their buttons so as to roll up their cuffs and get to work.

Besides the idea of owning a suit or shirt that fits your body to a tee, there are other reasons to buy from these tailors. Perhaps there is a favorite shirt collar that you like that you can’t find in the stores; these businesses have at least eight styles to choose from. Maybe you would prefer a white collar on your colored shirt?

Also, when buying from companies like these, you can for example order a classic two-button navy blue blazer when the stores are carrying only three-button styles. Perhaps you are a man or woman who is big in the waist but has small shoulders, and off the rack suits don’t fit properly. Guys who work out and have broad chests and slim waists need special sizing too. How about this one – you can bring in your favorite shirt or suit jacket for them to copy.

These two companies have very different modus operandi. The Tailored Man makes appointments and meets with one customer at a time, providing undivided attention. Maxwell’s has developed a more retail-like model where no appointments are necessary. There are a few tailors in the suite with him, and a more bustling atmosphere, with other people in the room shopping at the same time.

Maxwell’s Clothiers, e-mail: maxwell@maxwellsclothiers.com web site: www.maxwellsclothiers.com. Dates: March 29^th– April 1^st at Ruby Foo’s Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. Phone: 514-731-7701 and then April 2^nd to5th at Le Centre Sheraton, 1201 Rene-Levesque Blvd W. Phone: (514) 878-2000. Ask for Mr. K. Maxwell’s suite. This company was one of the first to come to Canada, back in 1961, and now has over 45,000 active customers throughout the country. They visit Montreal twice a year, in October and in March, renting a banquet hall in Ruby Foo’s Hotel for a few days and then heading downtown to Le Centre Sheraton for a few more days. Maxwell’s brings along a team of tailors who can fit you for custom-tailored suits, jackets, pants, overcoats and shirts. Tuxedo shirts, western style shirts and wing-tip court shirts can also be ordered, and winter overcoats are available in the finest cashmere fabrics. You can drop in at any time while he is in town, and you’ll find a room bustling with activity. His tailors are busily measuring different customers while other buyers are perusing the table holding books of thousands of fabric swatches, and still others are checking out some sample shirts and suits. The prices are excellent – for three custom-made cotton shirts, it’s only $135 plus tax and shipping (about $25). Suits go for $395 – $495, and orders take about eight weeks to arrive. A local tailor has been hired to do any small alterations that may be necessary afterwards.

The Tailored Man, e-mail: daswani@tailoredman.com. web site: www.tailoredman.com. Dates: (by appointment only, ask for Mr. Daswani’s suite) call hotel or his toll-free number: 877-984-3339. April 5^{th and} 6^th, Le Centre Sheraton, 1201 Rene-Levesque Blvd W. Phone: (514) 878-2000; April 7^th and 8^th , Ruby Foo’s Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd. Phone: (here ask for Mr. Kishu). 514-731-7701; and April 7^th and 8^th also at Sheraton Laval, 2440 Autoroute des Laurentides. Phone: 450-687-2440. Sunder Daswani has a more traditional approach to selling suits and shirts, and makes hourly appointments so that he can enjoy meeting one customer at a time. This way he has a chance to get to know each one individually, and has the opportunity to help the customer choose fabrics and to match shirts or ties. After taking your measurements, he shoots a digital photo of you and sends it straight to Hong Kong in an e-mail along with your measurements. This way, the shop has an opportunity to see your body shape. The fabric gets pulled the same day, and the next day the tailors can start making the suit. In about six weeks, it arrives at your door. Daswani comes to Montreal about every two to three months. The Tailored Man has a permanent US location at 5243 Duke St., Alexandria, VA. Phone: 703-751-7868. If you drive South for a vacation, you can be measured on your way down and have a suit or shirt waiting for you on your way back. Suits start at $425 US and shirts are prices from $45 US.

With the new Daylight Savings Time on my mind, I started to think about stores that are connected to a particular time of the week and time on the clock. There are certain businesses that open to the public for as little as half a day a week. You have to be a really organized shopper to keep track of the right days and the right time to arrive at these places, but usually the price is worth the effort.

I have written before about certain companies that open their warehouse for a big sale at the end of their seasons in order to clear their merchandise out. Today’s businesses, however, do this every single week. You just have to know.

It is amazing how, even given these huge time constraints on a very busy public, and without advertising, customers still manage to find out about these places and get there on the right day at the right time.

These businesses have been open for years, and the variety as well as the nice prices will please many readers. So the treats for today are quite the grab bag – for good men’s shoes, once loved treasures, ladies’ nightgowns and organic veggies.

Nunn Bush Liquidation, 8205 Montreal-Toronto Blvd., Room 100 at St. Jacques St. Phone: 514-364-5444. Hours: Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., call first. At this head office location, and only on Fridays, someone is there to let you into the special room which has the deals on these famous name men’s shoes. The shoes and boots have either been returned from stores, are ends-of-lines or are being liquidated. Prices are super, about $25 – $60, for this well made men’s brand.

The Little Shop, 1002 Ogilvy Avenue at l’Acadie Blvd. Phone: 514-279-6722. Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You must be skinny to shop in this little house of treasure rooms. Aptly named, it offers second-hand items to films, television shows and to you, too. Expect to find the rooms filled to the rafters with nostalgia for you or your home. Leave plenty of time and patience to sift through the mounds of clothing collectibles, lace tablecloths and doilies, hats and hat boxes, throw pillows, quilts, robes, blouses and more than you can imagine.

Sleepwear Warehouse, 165 St. Viateur Ave. at Casgrain Ave. Hours: Thursday and Friday 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is one I have had to keep close to my chest for a few years, but I can now mention it. If you can make it here during the few hours it is open, you will be delighted with women’s pajamas and nightgowns which are sold for amazing low prices (in the $5-$20 range). Most ladies’ sizes from Small to 3X can be found on the racks here. If you ever need nightwear for bed-ridden acquaintances, you can buy them here too.

Pro Organics, 9252 Pie IX Blvd. at des Grandes Prairies Blvd. Phone: 514-725-5117. Hours: Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a bit of a scavenger hunt to find this warehouse entrance. It is at the far right end of the huge lot. Now remember you can only go in on Saturdays, but when you do you will be rewarded with good prices on organic fruits, vegetables and cheese. One can buy it by the case or not.

The most striking thing for me about Pointe Claire Village has always been the proliferation of female shopkeepers. About thirty percent of the ninety or so businesses are owned entirely or partially by women. Eve Drouin whose store, La Maison de Calico, has been open one of the longest, remembers that when she opened twenty-seven years ago there were only about four or five “shops” beyond the usual tradesmen like the plumber, hardware, shoemaker or barber.

Mrs. Lane’s shop was the famous name in the town at that time. She traveled to England and even Red China for her unique wares, and according to Joy Wheeler of Joy, “attracted the crowd from Westmount and downtown”, who drove all the way to Pointe Claire Village for her merchandise. Eve Drouin, a smart business woman, parked her store next door to Mrs. Lane so as to take advantage of all that foot traffic, and it worked, because she’s still there.

Shopping in Pointe Claire Village is like shopping used to be. It is a small community of friendly shopkeepers who all know each other and learn to know you – the customer. Olga van Setten, owner of Phase II, has built her business specifically on just that concept. Buying in her store is like having your own personal shopper; she calls her customers when clothes come in that would be suitable just for them. Busy women have little time to shop, so here is a store owner who can manage your wardrobe for you. The rest of the shopkeepers work similarly – over time, they get to know your personal likes and can lead you to the things that will please you. What a concept.

La Maison de Calico, 324 Bord du Lac at Golf St. Phone: 514-695-0728. Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Walk into this old house and let the decor and handiwork evoke memories of yesteryear. Creative people with itchy fingers who want to learn quilting, smocking, making teddy bears, silk ribbon embroidery, appliqué and even photo transferring come here to take courses and to buy supplies – even a handmade thimble. The Quebec government has sponsored an Economuseum area showcasing the history of quilting, including a history of the art form as well as old tools and sample quilts. There are gift items for sale like: antique Italian brass objects, Mighty Leaf tea, quilts (for babies too) and a bit of lacework. The wonderful aromas that are wafting through the store come from the Aux Délices de La Maison de Calico tea parlour in the back. www.maisondecalico.com

Joy, 319 Bord du Lac at St. Joachim St. Phone: 514-695-2608. Hours: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Sundays and Mondays in January and February, and weekday hours then are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Though you may remember Joy’s shop as the queen of the handcrafted specialty bags, rolling luggage wheels and cheap Chinese labor have ended the luggage part of her business. Now you can buy home and gift items. The popular and beautifully crafted Mat and Nat purses which look exactly like leather, but are vegan, fly off her shelves. Walltalk and babytalk are fun sayings (“Laughter translates into any language” “Dare to color outside the lines”,“So many toys, so little time” or Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the places you’ll go”) that you rub onto your walls to personalize your space. The display of All Fired Up decorative light switches are still there along with Elle jewelry, which are well priced sterling silver with a trademark ruby. You can finally find beautiful artistic cards to pen a special note in, and in case you need to read them, reading glasses are here too.

Phase II, 327A bord du Lac at St-Joachim St. Phone: 514-695-9119. Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For busy women (sizes 1-14), this consignment boutique specializes in lots of service by choosing the right wardrobe for you. Amongst popular lines (Teenflo, Nygard, Danier, Steilmann, Ralph Lauren, Max Mara, Jones NY, Armani, Talbot), a selection can be made from their suits, blouses, skirts and casual weekend wear. Some accessories like purses, shoes, belts and sunglasses can finish off your look.

If all it takes to stay healthy is walking thirty minutes a day, why are you sitting there? Grab your cell phone and chat with a friend while you walk or listen to music or a TV show, and you won’t even feel the time fly by. Or better still, leave all that at home and give yourself a half hour of freedom from everyone and everything. Use the time to think, organize your day or just let your mind wander amongst wonderful memories. Break from the world and life. Walk or run for the pleasure of it.

Before you start, however, it is important to wear a proper pair of athletic shoes. The easiest way to get the correct shoe is to bring an old one with you when you shop. If you go to one of the speciality athletic shoe stores below, the sales people have been trained to evaluate the wear and know what you should be buying.

The most important thing they do is to make sure your foot stays stable. Stability is important to avoid injuries. If your foot is not stable, it can eventually lead to knee and hip problems.

They understand the bio-mechanics of gait. Does your foot pronate, stay neutral or supronate? Are you wearing the right width or did you buy a larger size in order to make your foot more comfortable?

Why type of shoe do you need? Cross trainers are popular for people who may take aerobics, do leg presses and squats, play tennis and perhaps also do weight-lifting. However, they are also a little bit of this and a little bit of that. A running shoe is lighter, has more cushioning, more support and is quite breathable. A walking shoe is heavier, but it lasts longer and is sturdier. It looks more like a shoe, if you need it to wear to work.

Remember these words that Carl Andersen, owner of Distance Sports, prints right on his business card: “We who have no time for our health today will have no health for our time tomorrow”.

Distance Sports, 5922 Sherbrooke St. West at Royal Ave. Phone: 514-482-1010. Hours: Monday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open fourteen years now, this personalized shop orients itself to the specialized needs of runners. Bring in an old running shoe and they will analyze it and lead you to the shoe (Mizuno, Brooks, Asics) you should be wearing. Running clothes are here too, along with a tiny bit of soccer shoes.

Boutique Endurance, 6579 St. Denis St. at Beaubien St. Phone: 514-272-9267. Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Buying an athletic shoe in which your feet will have to endure undue stresses should be more than just popping into a mall and finding one on sale. If you want to save your feet for your old age, shop here where the sales reps have been trained to fit them. What is the shape of your foot? Will you be running or walking? Do your feet turn in or out? Are you a beginner? After they assess your gait on the indoor track, you will be helped to choose from the Asics, Adidas, Saucony, New Balance and Brooks in sizes AA to 4E. Running and cross country ski clothes are sold, and orthotics can be inserted. www.boutiqueendurance.ca

Running Room, 4873 Sherbrooke St. West at Victoria Ave. Phone: 514-483-4495. Hours: Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an Edmonton-based chain that offers service along with running shoes (Nike, New Balance, Saucony, Asics, Mizuno, Reebok, Adidas) and clothing. The concept of the store is for those of you who want to learn how to run or walk and don’t know where to begin or what you need to wear. There are ten-week clinics that start at “learn-to-run” and lead right up to running marathons. For those who already know how to put one foot in front of the other, you may want to join a running or walking club. Other locations: 1159 Bernard Ave. (514-274-5888); 950 St-Jean Blvd. (514-695-8744); Brossard (opening April 4th), Quartier Dix-Trente, 10 Lepage Blvd. (450-678-7070). www.runningroom.ca