22 | AUGUST 25 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

D

avid Elkus, owner of 
Baron’s Wholesale 
Clothiers and Todd’s 
Menswear, had an idea for an 
event that gave back to the com-
munity. However, he was miss-
ing a catchy name.
While driving to 
Chicago with his 
daughter Audrey, 
who is an expert in 
marketing, Elkus 
told her about his 
vision for a cele-
bration of suits — almost a “suit 
holiday,
” he explains. He wanted 
to create a shopping event that 
achieved two goals: to help peo-
ple realize the benefits of wear-
ing suits and to give portions of 
proceeds to local charities.
For Audrey, the name was a 
no-brainer. “Suitember,
” she told 
her father.
The name stuck, and Elkus 
launched Suitember in partner-
ship with men’s suit shops across 
the country. Now, during the 
month of September, a portion 
of proceeds will go back to the 
community and various organi-
zations as they have for the past 
three years.

HOW SUITEMBER WORKS
Currently in its fourth year, this 
year’s Suitember shopping event 
will give 10% of proceeds to 
Friendship Circle, a Jewish non-
profit in West Bloomfield that 
provides services, programming 
and support for children and 

young adults with special needs.
Participating are Jewish-
owned businesses Baron’s 
Wholesale Clothiers and Todd’s 
Menswear. Other men’s suit 
shops across the country who 
have joined the effort are select-
ing charities to donate to within 
their respective communities.
All month long, customers 
who visit Baron’s or Todd’s can 
mention Friendship Circle to 
have 10% of their purchases 
donated to the organization.
A second shopping event at 
Todd’s Menswear, Trade In Trade 
Up, which takes place during 
Suitember, will also allow cus-
tomers to receive rebates for a 

fresh, new suit with each gently 
used suit that they trade in. 
These gently used suits will then 
be donated to Vets Returning 
Home, a nonprofit that helps 
veterans transition into stable 
lives.

GIVING BACK TO 
THE COMMUNITY
For Elkus, being able to part-
ner with Friendship Circle on 
this year’s event holds a special 
meaning. “We have very soft 
spots for Friendship Circle,
” 
he explains, describing that his 
aunt and uncle, who had special 
needs and could have benefitted 

from an organization like it if 
something similar existed during 
their time.
“It would have been a sensa-
tional vehicle for them,
” he says. 
Plus, David Elkus’ father, 
Philip Elkus, contributed to 
resources that helped Friendship 
Circle build its gym.
“I love their ability to be able 
to not only be effective with all 
of what they do,
” Elkus contin-
ues, “but also how they bring 

in a community of able-bodied 
people and teach them not to be 
afraid of disabilities.
”
Levi Shemtov, executive 
director at Friendship Circle, 
is thrilled to be 
included in this 
year’s Suitember 
event. It’s a way to 
support a local busi-
ness, he explains, 
while also giving 
back to the commu-
nity at the same time.
“Baron’s Wholesale Clothiers 
and the Elkus family are long-
time supporters of Friendship 
Circle, and we are incredibly 

grateful to partner with them 
for their Suitember fundraiser,
” 
Shemtov says. “The proceeds will 
provide much-needed programs, 
friendship and community for 
individuals with special needs 
and anyone who is isolated.
”

THE SURPRISING 
BENEFITS OF SUITS
Elkus, who is affiliated 
with Shaarey Zedek and 
Congregation Beth Ahm, says 
the benefits of Suitember go 
beyond the help they can pro-
vide for the community. Simply 
wearing a suit, he explains, can 
make a difference in confidence 
and productivity.
The third-generation men’s 
clothier says suits can allow peo-
ple to better express themselves 
and boost performance at work. 
“If you’re putting on professional 
clothing, you act more profes-
sional,
” Elkus describes. “There 
have been studies about this over 
and over again.
“You bring a different author-
ity and presence when you’re 
dressed well,
” he adds. “Wearing 
a suit can have a real effect on 
your day-to-day life.
” 

To read about the history of suits, visit 

suitember.com.

Suitember shopping event will give 
10% of proceeds to Friendship Circle.

Fashion Flair 
for a Cause

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rabbi Levi 
Shemtov

David Elkus

A Tommy 
Hilfiger suit 
from Todd’s 
Menswear

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