John Craig Clothier

For nearly 20 years John Craig has been THE men’s clothier on Park Avenue in my hometown of Winter Park, Florida. There is something to be said for their longevity. Just when I thought they couldn’t get any better they become the first store in Winter Park to carry my favorite shoes: Ferragamo. John Craig is a must visit!

My wife and I stopped in to buy a few dress shirts. The older man who helped us was extremely rude to my wife and even raised his voice at her while they discussed a certain fabric. A fabric! Maybe he thought we couldn’t afford his dress shirts or he’s just a jerk all the time. 1^st rule of any business is to have excellent customer service. This place either has no idea what that is or just thought we were poor people who couldn’t afford a $ 80 shirt. We left the store after being talked down to numerous times and spent our money at a similar store down the street.
Honestly he was so rude, I thought he was joking. I’ll never be back to shop here and neither will my family.

Snooty inconsiderate staff. I took my 86 year old mother, who walks with a cane and is a bit frail, there to buy a nice gift for my older brother’s birthday. The staff seemed to care less that we were there and seemed to be inconvenienced by our presence as if we were some rift-​raft off the street, (though we were both dressed nicely). We knew what we wanted and were rather quick with our decision. They kept us waiting at the register as if we were some beggars looking for someone to toss us a coin.
Later that evening my sister called to tell me my mother told her about the visit to the store and was so upset she was crying about the way she was treated. My mother is anything but low class, she is a caring woman of means and certainly knows how to treat people properly.
Karma, it will get you one day.

I have shopped in many other custom mens clothiers and all of them have given better service. I found there sales staff to be «snooty» and not helpful at all. I had an issue with a product that I purchased and the speed and efficiency with which it was handled, made snails look like sprinters. Needless to say they won’t be on MY list of places I shop. One of those places where the reputation doesn’t meet reality.

Just up the street from some of the other well-​to-​do clothing shops on Park Ave. sits this upscale outfitter for men only. Born here in Winter Park, John Craig seeks to dress the men of Central Florida with class, panache and sophistication. Adhering to the proverb, «The man who has confidence in himself, gains the confidence of others,» John Craig does just that. They assertively sell their gentlemen’s apparel with the hopes of giving confidence to all those who buy it.
Part of what makes them unique, in this day and age, is their ability to custom create something for you that you cannot seem to find. Whether it’s through extra buttons, more pleats, or an uncommon pattern, they will work with you and your measurements to ensure your happiness; a seemingly lost art. You will pay for this convenience though as their products run on the high side of things.
The store is very well displayed and formal feeling. Ties, sports coats, toiletries leather bags and shoes are carefully laid out on top of their wood floors, oriental rugs, and chestnut tables. It’s an inviting and intriguing place to visit if you would like to treat the man in your life to something extra special.

Clearly I am not a guy and do not wear men’s clothing, but I always pass by the John Craig shop on my way to get coffee and can’t help but peer in to see what they have. This is definitely not a shop that teenagers or even young adult men would shop in… at least not most. Instead, this is shop for the older, more sophisticated man.
Most of the clothing is very formal. Khaki’s, collared shirts and polos adorn the shelves and walls of this shop. Blues, greens, blacks, browns and some pastels are the major colors you will find. I’m not 100% sure but I’m pretty confident that this is not a bargain shop… based on how it’s set and how the owner presents and carries himself anyway.
My favorite part of this shop, aside from the up scale appearance, is the black and white dog that can be found sitting on the steps on most days of the week. The dog belongs to the owner and creator of the shop and never strays past the threshold of the store. He never shows anger toward anyone and appears to be very submissive overall.
If I were an older gentleman I would probably shop in a place like this, if I could afford it of course.

It’s not Ralph Lauren, nor Tommy Hilfiger, but John Craig who runs his Clothier Shop in Winter Park. Similar to the aforementioned names above, John Craig features a wide selection of sport shirts and other business casual attire. The difference is in his choice of «Florida colors» which can be seen at the golf course, or at the yacht club.
The store is laid out like any Brooks Brothers on Worth Avenue, wood floors covered with oriental carpets and antique furniture and columns gives the shop that undeniable old-​money feel.