Brown to Close Down Albert Ltd.

An icon on the Bellevue retail scene, Albert Ltd. will close its doors late this spring, as Dick Brown has announced a final sale. The firm, established first in downtown Seattle 63 years ago, moved to Bellevue in 1981. Dick and Judy Brown have owned the company since 1977. Dick said that “the cost of continuing to maintain quality of service has become prohibitively expensive.” In an accompanying article in the King County Journal, Brown blamed a combination of the extended poor economy, as well as the trend toward casual wear.

Dick was always heard to say, “If I can’t keep up the quality of service and merchandise, I can’t do the kind of job I’ve done all my work life.”

In 1985, Dick Brown was one of 25 local residents who formed the charter membership of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club. Since that time, Dick has served in many club capacities — from committee chairperson to president — and positions at the District level. He has brought several people into Rotary, notably Bob Moloney, who also later became president.

In this transitional period, Dick has not yet settled on what he will do next. “I’m tempted to just become a full-time Bellevue Breakfast Rotarian so I can be with all my best friends all the time!” He told Reveille that he was thinking about being a professional body builder. (Reveille had no follow-up question ˜ gulp!) In the Journal article, Brown was quoted as exploring the possibility of “creating a website to serve his customers, who understand the importance of good grooming and dress.” (For those of us who know Dick, this only confirms that he’s a late bloomer!)

Whatever the future holds, Dick and Judy Brown will continue to contribute to their community in many ways. It would be inconceivable to feature the BBRC without Mr. Brown, and we trust he’ll bounce back with his patented energy, compassion for his fellow Rotarians, and love for Rotary. (His “retirement sale” is currently underway).

(From the King County Journal, April 12, 2003)

Trend toward casual forces clothier to close -
Owner of Albert Ltd. blames Microsoft, economy and war

by Cydney Gillis
Journal Business Reporter

BELLEVUE -- Once Microsoft made jeans and flip-flops popular at work, sales of suits started slipping at Bellevue clothier Albert Ltd.

Then the economy turned bad. Now war in Iraq is the finisher, says Dick Brown, owner of the longtime Bellevue Square store.

On Wednesday, Dick and wife Judy, who bought the business from founder Harold Hoak in 1977, launched a clearance sale. It will end May 31 with the closure of the 63-year-old store, which moved from downtown Seattle to Bellevue Square in 1981.

Ostensibly, the couple is retiring. But since the war started, Brown said, so many people have stayed home to watch TV coverage that the mall is deserted at night.

That, Brown said, spelled the end after years of slowed sales.

Albert Ltd. sells traditional men's and women's clothing that may have high-end labels, Brown said, but his profit margins are low. Unlike the Asian imports sold at chain stores, the Browns sell apparel made in the United States or United Kingdom.

Full service is costly, too, Brown said. The store has 10 employees, some of 20 years or more. Austrian tailor Norbert Adler, for instance, joined Albert Ltd. in 1970.

In the past 10 years, Brown said, sales have fallen off due, in part, to Microsoft. Despite the comfort of casual wear, it's a trend, Brown said, that has a negative impact on society as a whole.

``When I graduated from college, there was a book by John Malloy -- `Dress for Success,''' Brown said. It was a best seller.

``Now (young people) wear whatever they choose,'' Brown said. ``Men can go unshaven and wear khakis and flip-flops and retire a millionaire at 34.''

Few Microsoft millionaires spend money on formal clothing, Brown said.

Kemper Freeman Jr., the owner of Bellevue Square and a 23-year customer of Albert Ltd., said business wear will return. But right now, he said, ``we're in a casual cycle.''

Still, Freeman said all the men he knows are panicking about where they'll shop when the store closes.

Brown said he's considering creating a Web site to serve his customers, who understand the importance of good grooming and dress.

When people dress well, Brown said, they tend to use good manners.

``When young people of 17 are going to a prom and they rent outfits and go out to a nice dinner,'' Brown said, ``whatever manners they've been taught, you see them attempt to use them.''

In jeans and sweatshirts, he said, it's very different.

``It isn't just a ball gown or a tuxedo that requires the use of good manners and etiquette,'' Brown said. ``It's all the time.''

Cydney Gillis can be reached at 425-453-4226 or cydney.gillis@king countyjournal.com.