Workers at a Chicago-based company that made suits for President Barack Obama are marking the one-year anniversary of the day they almost lost their jobs.
Hartmarx Corp. was forced into bankruptcy protection last year after lenders cut it off. Its creditors had pushed for liquidation. But state officials and workers had threatened a sit-in.
The company was sold in June to Britain-based Emerisque Brands and SKNL North America BV.
On Wednesday, workers ate picnic-style lunches on the lawn at the factory in Des Plaines.
Fifty-six-year-old Ruby Sims says it’s a good day, and she doesn’t know how she would’ve found another job.
Hartmarx made a tuxedo, topcoat and suit for Obama’s inauguration. It also made the suit Obama wore election night.
Who dresses up anymore? Most offices have casual dress codes. This business cannot survive on the suits worn by one man. The creditors were right to seek liquidation. I’m waiting for the president to order us to dress up, forcing us to buy suits to justify his actions.
Dear Beth ~
Huh? Our President could defend the quality of his own suits, but I don’t think he made anyone buy them or spent any of your money to keep this firm in business. But this news was reported a year ago, and you probably didn’t read it then. And I hear that your car, domestic or foreign, is a lemon. And let me tell you why your shoes should be tossed.
Let us know you insights if you think “Was John F Kennedy responsible for hats going out of style in the 1960s?”