Canadian co. spreads its roo

ROOTS CANADA just
opened a new. store at
Eaton Centre Metrotown
with special guests including
the Roots empire kings
Michael Budman and Don
Green and some of the cast
of Neon Rider.

Celebrating its 20th year
business, the only thing that
predictable about this company
its unpredictability.

Since it was first founded in
1973 by Green and Budman, who
were then aged 27 and 30 respec-
tively, Roots Canada Ltd. has
steadily grown through innova-
tion,

After only three years in
business selling thair own brand of
Earth shoes, the young owners did
an annual volume of $15 million
with customers who included °70s
icons like Elton John, Cher, Paul

McCartney and former prime
minister Pierre Trudeau.

Though the firm is distinctively
Canadian, and its beaver logo has
become one of the most recogniz-
able labels in the country, Green
and Budman are actually Detroit
natives. They met at Michigan

. State University, and then moved
to Toronto.

It was when one was working as
a crate mover for a fruit company
~and the other was unemployed
that they. decided to..go into

- business together selling shoes.
They: felt they would rather
design - their
. Clones than work with the large
‘corporations already in existence,
: §0.-they: asked a. Quebec hockey
puck:' manufacturer. to make the
rubber. soles, got the son of a boot.
maker to, Czar Nicholas 11's: of-

fi icers: to produce the uppers, and’

- BRIDES-TO-BE
.. you will want to-aftend the

look what WELCOME WAGON has.in store for you ...

own Earth Shoe‘

' ATHLETICS

c A N AD A

obtained a $5,000 bank loan.

Roots is now Canada’s leading
manufacturer of leather products
and athletic wear for men,
women, children and infants.

The firm’s 50,000-square-foot
Toronto factory produces leather
products made by fifth-generation
leather craftsmen.

There are 45 Roots stores in
Canada and the U.S., and: they
are the highest-grossing outlets
for sales per square foot in
Canada.

But more valuable and more
newsworthy than its dollar profits
is. the company’s directional at-
titude.

Roots Canada Ltd. has spread
its long roots into so many dif-

ferent areas, it is hard to keep.

track of its growth.

Wayne Gretzky, John Candy
and Bruce MecNall acquired the
Toronto Argonauts CFL franchise
just long enough for Budman and
Green to get on the team, design-
ing and manufacturing a pro
jacket for the Argos. ;

Roots is now an official licensee

“of the entire Canadian Football

League, providing jackets, sweats
_ and caps.
American actor Spike Lee, who

opened a clothing store in
Brooklyn, came to Canada to
have his custom jackets for the
films Jungle Fever and Maleolm X
designed and produced by Roots.

Roots also designs and
manufactures Lee’s knapsacks and
five-for-five jackets.

When boxer Razor Ruddock
took on the former heavyweight
champion of the world Mike
Tyson in Las Vegas, Roots
Canada was there with Ruddock’s
official fightwear,

Roots joined forces with
Coca-Cola Canuda when three-
time world champion figure skater
Kurt Browning became Coke’s
spokesman, and designed a line of
sweats for Browning.

The company got together with
California surf-god John
Hamersveld, who designed the
first surfing magazine, the poster
for The Endless Summer and the
original clothing designs for Jim-
my Z and Gotcha, for a line call-
ed Roots of Surfing,

Roots and’ American designer
Donna: Karan are .also working
together. The firm is now produc-
ing leather footwear, vests and
jackets for Karan’s menswear col-
lection after she came to Toronto
to meet with the owners.

Roots has been committed to
the environmental movement since
its beginning, and has worked
with international environmental
groups: including World Wildlife
Fund, Friends of the Earth and
the Summit on the Environment.
It has a partnership with Eco
Fibre Canada for an exclusive line
of Roots clothing.

This .company. produces new
yarns and fabrics from cotton tex-
tile waste which would otherwise
have gone to landfill sites.

— Carol Crenna

as]
Sean

nt 190

~ Demonstrations « Exciling Gifts For Every Mother-to-Be
* Special Displays ¢ Numerous Door Prizes

Admission is FREE, buf by invitation onfy. To obtain your

fsonal invitation for you and

your mother or guest, please give us o call, SUZ 929-4226 or MARGE 275-4
INTERNATIONAL PLAZAIPRESTO 2 CATERING, Tues. | March 9, Doors: 6:45 pm
if ri
* Reserve now for optional dinner buftet ima Call 984. 214) for buffet!

Fony has just returned from another
buying trip where he purchased a
fabulous selection of lialian fabrics. This
purchase has given us the cpportunity to
pass on the saving ina

Mi MADE

SUIT SALE

Regular $1200 to $1800 dollars

Car

AL WEEK |

4 to 6 week delivery

PARK ROYAL SOUTH

(2nd floor)

art tags Jo

Is 1993 YOUR YEAR FOR
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT?

Begin your year by visiting your
neighbourhood store for the latest
in informative reading on Health
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The BANTAM & DELL
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Drop into your ncighbourhood
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PLUS, enter in the
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SHOPPERS DRUG MART
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ER ES ir

Come
ate

offer expires
Feb. 28/93

CAROUSEL ‘CLEANERS

Mon-Wed 6:30 to 6:30pm / Thurs-Fri 6:30 to 9:00pm / Sat 6:30 te 5:30pm / Sun 12.00 to 5:00pm
Outside fecation between Canada Trust & Woodward's

_Park Royal I North (922-4811

SGUP’S ON AT

Sleomn i) ref? El op
Steak : Seafood - Salad
FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT

We feature only the finest homestyle soups and
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SOUP, SALAD & DESSERT BAR.

Come experience the difference at. our North
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$1.00 off SOUP & SALAD BAR

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REDEEMABLE AT: 5§

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500 - 2601 Westview Drive SUPREME
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NORPAC

OFFER VALID: February 15 - March 31, 1993. Not valid in
conjunction with aay other offer. No cash value.

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