FROM OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE: MILESTONES-100+ YEARS! JULIUS CLOTHING, SACRAMENTO

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Established in 1922 as a haberdashery by Julius Anapolsky, Julius Clothing in Sacramento has been around for more than a century, a feat accomplished by few. While the store has seen its share of shifts in both business and fashion, what hasn’t changed is its soul: giving customers a memorable experience while dressing them to look and feel fabulous!

The store has evolved over the years, expanding to 4,200 square feet by adding women’s and fine jewelry to its already bustling men’s business. “Exclusive merchandise, access to custom orders, and an exceptional in-store experience have always been our cornerstones,” says third-generation owner Bruce Anapolsky. His parents, Sam and Sharon, took over the business from Sam’s dad in the 1970s. Bruce took over in 2011.

The men’s mix breaks down into 40% tailored clothing, 50% sportswear, and 10% footwear. According to Bruce, key brands are Zegna (“Julius was one of the very first Zegna accounts in the U.S.; we have a special plaque signed by Aldo Zegna”), Brunello Cucinelli, Canali, Maurizio Baldassari, PT01, Pescarolo, Tramarossa, Eton, Emanuel Berg, and Patrick Assaraf.“Custom suits and sport coats are always best sellers; cashmere knits and overshirts had a strong start this fall. In footwear, the Zegna triple stitch shoe is a remarkably successful year-round item.”

While other businesses have relied on online sales for growth, Julius Clothing has kept to in-store drivers like trunk shows. “Our trunk shows drive our entire business,” notes Bruce. “We’re proud of our long-term relationships with our vendors; we buy narrow and deep to fully represent each collection.

“But at the end of the day,” affirms Bruce, “it’s really the people who drive the store’s success, including 10 terrific employees (who have worked together for 25+ years, often making collaborative decisions), long-time vendors, and loyal clients who keep coming back. Like so many of the great specialty stores in this country, we strive to create friendship and trust with every person who walks through the door. Having a store filled with beautiful merchandise makes it easy. But I believe the main reason we reached the 100-year milestone is that our team ensures we keep innovating and evolving.”

Asked about mistakes made and lessons learned, Bruce responds candidly. “Our biggest mistakes have been relying on credit lines: the banks tend to close those when there’s a crisis. Also, COVID was a great educator. It taught many of us that great specialty stores aren’t built around markdowns, which serve mostly to diminish the integrity of the store and the value of your inventory.”