Pandemic, retail closings not stopping upscale menswear store opening in Gold Coast

(Above) Retired NFL quarterback Troy Aikman models for Q Clothier.

August 31, 2020 – Now may not be the ideal time for an upscale clothing store to open in the Gold Coast, arguably, particularly one that will need 30 minutes of your time for fabric selection, garment design, and measuring.

Nonetheless, Q Clothier, a menswear company based in Dallas, says it will open its 11th location at 48 East Oak Street on September 15.

“Expanding in general is extremely difficult right now for retailers across the country who are suffering,” said Raja Ratan, CEO of Q Clothier, “but we believe our ideology of one-on-one shopping experiences will help our customer base in Chicago not only feel safe, but will give them the opportunity to enjoy the shopping experience as they once had before the pandemic.”

Steven Dahlman is the editor and publisher of Loop North News. With over 40 years of experience as a journalist and 20 years as a commercial photographer, his career includes work as a radio news director, reporter, and anchor. He is the co-author of three books on Chicago’s evolution, including Chicago’s River: At Work And At Play and Changing Chicago: A Portrait in Postcards and Photos. His first solo book, Marina City: The Definitive History of a Chicago Landmark, is scheduled for publication by Trope Publishing Co. on October 28, 2026.