Important!
I have been informed that this clearance centre has closed.Yesterday, I decided to make quite a drive to the Brooks Brothers clearance centre in Garland, NC, USA. There used to be another clearance location in Olathe, KS, but it closed years ago, leaving the one in North Carolina as the only one of its kind. Anyway, as many of you know, Brooks Brothers is my favourite brand of clothing, and so going there made me like a kid in a toy store! Basically, when particular items don’t sell for one reason or another (unusual sizing, unpopular styling, or just overstock), they are put in the “Sale” section of the Brooks Brothers website. They are generally marked down by 25% – 60% from the original tag price. However, if the items still don’t sell, they are ultimately sent to the clearance centre in Garland, NC (which is, naturally, right next to the Piggly Wiggly):
Fortunately for me, I’m a somewhat unusual size. Therefore, there were many items that fit me nicely. The prices at the clearance centre are unlike any other deals that one can get from Brooks Brothers. For instance, I got a sport coat for $29.00 USD instead of the tag price of $598.00 USD (nothing like approximately 95% off :)). Anyway, I left there with a huge amount of shirts, sweaters, some pants, and even the previously-mentioned sport coat for a mere fraction of what I would have paid for the lot in the store!
Not too bad if I do say so myself… and I do. I’m hoping that I get another opportunity to go to the clearance centre in Garland at some point. I would also like to just spend a day or so in the area, because it is a beautifully quaint little country town, with fresh produce stands lining the roads, Mom & Pop shops, and crafts all around.
Cheers,
Zach
P.S. I would imagine that BB chose Garland, NC as the primary outlet centre because they also own the Garland Shirt Company, which manufacturers many of the Oxfords, dress shirts, and sports shirts that are nearly synonymous with the quality that is Brooks Brothers.
17 comments
Skip to comment form
This store closed back in April 2018. BB released a statement saying they felt their customers were better served by the regular outlet mall stores.
Author
Thank you for letting me know. I will update the post to indicate that it is closed.
Cheers,
Zach
We drove a little out of our way back on Memorial Day weekend only to find it closed with a note in the door. It was just like going to Wally World only to get there and see it was closed. Ha ha
Author
Ugh, sorry to hear that, Steve. Thank you again for letting me know. Hopefully nobody else will have to experience that disappointment.
Cheers,
Zach
If you go into the store and see something that you might like or something you definitely like, you better grab it right away. The store clerks were covertly working with a resaler while I was in the store and moving merchandise back behind the counter. Shoes I was looking at started quickly disappearing, and no one came clean about what happened. The guy that was doing it strangely acted like he was an employee of the store and appeared on the surface to be helpful to me and my friend while he was doing it. I just sent Brooks Brothers and email about this incident.
Author
Hello Steve,
That’s very interesting. I didn’t have that experience, but it certainly could happen. I’m glad that you notified BB about the issue.
Cheers,
Zach
I’m a bit late posting this, but thanks for the polite reply.
I was actually attacked (an subsequently banned )for posting the same message on the Ask Andy and Style Forum websites. Ultimately, I found out some of them were resellers themselves. Interesting enough, I Google searched the guy that led the mob attack and found out a few interesting things: he is a church deacon, and he used to work at Brooks Brothers, and now he spends his workday as a computer systems specialist at another company posting vile messages on forum boards towards other people! Not very Christian behavior.
I posted the original message not to be offensive but to pass what I felt was important information along so people that go in the store don’t lose something they are considering buying. Both my friend and I thought the overall behavior was strange and didn’t quite figure out what was going on until we walked out of the store and discussed it.
We’ve both been back to the store twice since then and have had better experiences.
Speaking of which, be careful and check your items carefully before buying. It my be damaged even though it doesn’t have an “irregular” label on it. Some of the suits may be altered as well. I’ve had really good luck with the dress shirts though.
Author
Hi again Steve,
That’s very strange behaviour indeed. I’m sorry that you had a bad experience there, and I’m sure that Brooks Brothers Corporate would be as well. As a very long time supporter of the brand, it is sad to hear of any negative experience in their stores (standard, Factory, outlet, or otherwise). Thank you for sharing your experiences, and I am glad to hear that your more recent ones have been better!
Cheers,
Zach
i have been going to BB in Garland. i live in wilmington. i used to be a secret. but i guess the word is out. i can only echo what Zach says. i have gotten suits, ties, shoes, outer coats. they always have khakis and shirts. neat thing is…. they have a rack of monogrammed shirts you can buy for $5. i get my size, take back to seamtress in wilmington. she pulls out the previous monogram then adds mine for another $5. so for $10 i have a first quality, monogramed BB shirt. best to call to see how their inventory is… 910-529-16912. happy shopping.
Another question — what hours are they open and what days? I can’t find this information online.
Author
I know that they’re not open on Sundays, and I believe that they’re open 09:00 – 17:00 Monday through Saturday. I hope that information is correct. If you go and find out otherwise, please let me know, and I will put it on my blog.
Cheers,
Zach
any women’s clothing?
Author
Yes, indeed. In the photo, the store front to the right (not under the Brooks Brothers sign) is the room with women’s clothing. That room is filled with suit coats, pants, miscellaneous coats, women’s clothing, and to a lesser degree, some Fleece line (for boys and girls).
Cheers,
Zach
When you say ‘unusual sizes’, what do you mean? I’d like to stop by Garland myself, but don’t know if it’s worthwhile if we’re not ‘unusual’ sizes.
Author
Hello Maureen,
I’m very small and thin, and that’s what I meant by unusual sizes. For instance, I wear a 34R or 36R in a suit, and only the Green Label (extra-slim fit shirts) fit me (and they’re still a bit baggy). That being said, you should definitely go to the outlet if you’re anywhere near Garland, NC. They don’t ONLY carry unusual sizes, but I found a lot of things in my size.
Cheers,
Zach
Interesting post I was actually doing research on the Garland store myself I wonder if this is the outlet brand of 346 or if it is actual Brooks Brothers clothing. Also, was there a particular or unique sale going on at the time of your visit these prices seem really really low almost to good to be true, I know you mention unique sizes, which applies to me as well, this is just a tough call driving all the way from Charlotte. Thanks.
Author
While they do carry some ‘346’ outlet brand merchandise (especially a lot of the ties), there are plenty of of items that are authentic Brooks Brothers. Nothing in the photo that I posted was ‘346’ label. There wasn’t a unique sale going on that day; just the standard prices. Shirts are typically $19.90, and sweaters are generally $29.90, though there are some other miscellaneous prices.
I think that it is definitely worth the drive from Charlotte. If you are able to go during the week, that might prove to be even better.
Cheers,
Zach