
After 70 years in business, Miami clothing retailer Austin Burke is closing its doors. The store, known for its discount designer suits, announced a final retirement sale to run until January 30. According to Islander News, Co-owners Kenny Sager and Barry Burke, the son of founder Austin Burke, decided to retire, leading to the closure of the store.
The Wynwood neighborhood, where the store is located, has changed significantly. In 2021, the building was sold for $8 million, much higher than its $300,000 price in the 1980s. Once a 7,500-square-foot showroom, the store now stands as a relic in a district that has become a hub for artsy attractions and trendy eateries.
Despite the changes, longtime customers, such as Tyrone Days and John Williams, continued to shop at the store, which had a wide size range and attracted a diverse clientele. Salesman Oswaldo Chamorro, 19, assisted these longtime clients, blending the old and new within the store's staff.
Co-owner Sager reflected on the business's journey, saying, "We both came out of Beach High; we're Miami Beach kids." He added in a statement obtained by Miami Herald, "I was a kid from Brooklyn. Had nothing. We bought the building. We sold the building. And you know what, when you buy the building for 300 [thousand] and sell it for 8 million, we don’t have to work. The legacy is, do we have one? Yes, we have a great brand and our sales are on top. We’re on top of the world. Our sales have gone up every year. But it’s not all about the money anymore. It’s about our lives, what we have left — 10, 15 years. And you know what? It’s our time now."
Austin Burke was known for its free alterations for life guarantee, which was adjusted during the '90s due to the fen-phen diet craze. The store now offers free tailoring for a year with proof of purchase. The closure marks the end of an era for many loyal customers, such as Jose Serra, who has been shopping at the store for 49 years.
The neighborhood's evolution reflects a mini New York, and Austin Burke’s closure marks the end of its long-standing presence in the area. Neither of the owners' children will continue the business, as they are established in other fields. Sager believes founder Austin Burke would be proud of how the store was taken to the next level, saying, "Very happy to see we took it to the next level," as quoted in the Miami Herald.