Bovet

Bovet was a chain of stores specialized in ready-to-wear clothing for big and tall men. In its best years, the company also operated the Marc Andrew and Club Garçons chains, as well as a school uniform division. The clothing was sold in the company’s 21 Quebec stores. In the early 2000s, about 300 people worked in Bovet stores and at the company’s Montreal head office.

Founded in 1907 by Victor Bovet, the original Bovet store sold work clothes on Montreal’s Ontario Street. Under the leadership of the founder’s son, Marc Bovet, the company became a men’s haberdashery in 1932. In the 1950s, it began to specialize in shoes and clothing for big and tall men.

The Bovet group expanded in the 1960s, opening outlets in many of the new shopping malls being built. The original Ontario Street store closed its doors in the 1980s. In 1984, Bovet acquired the Sauvé chain, which was founded in 1926.

Bovet ceased operations in January 2016. At that time, the business was headed by Pierre Bovet, the founder’s grandson, and had only 7 stores and 60 employees.

Shirt (detail), Bovet, about 1965. Gift of the Estate of Phil Himes, M2008.107.12 © McCord Museum