Brooklyn: Former Home of Eagle Clothes

bedstuyguy: 21st Jan 2009 - 17:33 GMT

I used to make love to a French woman who owned an apartment around the corner from this great old neon. The sign in fact faced the windows of her kitchen and den. I used to say to her in spite of all the light it would emanate into her apartment, it's a shame the thing doesn't work anymore. Signs like this and the great KenTile neon a few blocks South I hope are never dismantled. In fact for special occasions I wish they'd still function and get fired up (like on holidays or Inauguration Day) for all to enjoy.
How great they'd look at night off the F-train el. Does anyone know any history of Eagle?
I still wish I could still visit the French woman's apartment this sign is adjacent to, but alas as it might be said, that eagle has flown.

Rachel: 24th Jan 2009 - 18:56 GMT

Eagle Clothes was a "Dressing for Success" Man's Wardrobe outfitter. It's demise occured when business casual took effect in the 1990's.

Rachel: 24th Jan 2009 - 19:06 GMT

Correction concerning the date, as per Jeremiah's Blog vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2008/11/eagle-clothes.html
"By the late 1970s, as low-end leisure and high-end tailor-made suits did well, Eagle was failing. They filed for bankruptcy. Then, after a few acquisitions, they turned around and managed to survive most of the 1980s. In 1989, however, they filed for bankruptcy again and that's where the electronic paper trail ends."

Ken: 14th Oct 2009 - 00:57 GMT

I know Rod Serling from the Twilight Zone was outfitted by Eagle.

Galloping Greg: 14th Oct 2009 - 12:46 GMT

I wonder if "Serlingrod" is related to Rod Serling.

citynoise.org/author/serlingrod

Jerry G.: 4th Feb 2010 - 22:48 GMT

I worked for Eagle Clothes as their credit manager from 1973-74. It was a family owned business. Tailors were mostly skilled Italian immigrants and Jewish pattern makers and cutters. In addition to the Eagle brand, they also manufactured Geoffrey Beene Custom suits.
I'm sure the guy that was making love to the French woman who lived across the street had more fun than I did working under the sign.

David : 13th Feb 2010 - 16:52 GMT

I am seeking information on who designed this sign so I might persue the possibility of activating this history ??

Glen: 13th Feb 2010 - 17:27 GMT

My sister took this picture when she was in Brooklyn last summer....

S: 17th Feb 2010 - 08:46 GMT

Eagle Clothes was founded and owned by my great-grandfather's brother, Ben Goldman. I came across these photos as part of some genealogical research I have been dabbling in. Thank you.

CartLegger: 17th Feb 2010 - 12:43 GMT

if you have any photos to contribute it would be most appreciated. just upload it here!

anon (cpe-76-168-89-254.socal.res.rr.com): 12th Aug 2010 - 21:11 GMT

I have a suit from Eagle clothes that I bought vintage in the 80's. I would be interested in knowing when the store was started. The suit I have looks like maybe 1950's?

Todd: 30th Oct 2010 - 02:53 GMT

I just found a cast iron, bronze plated EAGLE CLOTHES sign,It is 15"x15" and weights about 10#.It looks alot like the large sign in Brooklyn,with same letter type,but this sign (plaque)has a eagle with spread wings on top,It looks as if it one time was mounted on the front of a building near the entrance, Much like a Macys.If anybody has any info about the history or origin of this sign. Please contact me at oshposh@live.com Thanks

bronxbull1960: 8th Jul 2011 - 19:13 GMT

I remember back in 1984 while I worked at Mooney's Wine and Spirits on 75th and B'way that store was purchased by a Stanley Goldman and his wife wondering if there is any relation....bronxbull1960@gmail.com

Thomas Woodbridge: 10th Jul 2011 - 10:09 GMT

I have a n Eagle Clothes Tweed Jacket (like the one matt smith uses in doctor who) does anyone know when it might have been made? the label says eagle clothes usa and australia, and another label says Berkley apparel-tailored in australia. does anyone know what all this means?

anon (pool-71-167-250-175.nycmny.east.verizon.net): 15th Oct 2011 - 02:36 GMT

to the person who posted about being ben goldmans brothers great grand child. Ben Goldman is my great grand father, send me an email. I'd like to say hello
jb@joshbrodynyc.com

Gee: 29th Dec 2011 - 15:11 GMT

My Mom worked for Eagle clothes for Years and Years. I remember going there with her. I also remember her boss Joe Falcone..Geez that was a loooooooong time ago

anon (75-147-93-89-Philadelphia.hfc.comcastbusiness.net): 3rd May 2012 - 18:27 GMT

the stock traded on the american stock exchange in the 1960's . there were two brothers stanley and fred . i heard a story that fred was the president after the father died in an accident at an escalator in kennedy airport. he had gone there to pick up stanley's former wife who he never forgave for divorcing her and that's why fred became president.

anon (50.29.137.52.res-cmts.mtp2.ptd.net): 26th Jul 2012 - 13:43 GMT

To Bronxbull1960 -- my aunt was married to Stanley Goldman. They did own Mooney's Wine and Spirits. Stanley was part owner of Eagle Clothes and went into the wine business after the bankruptcy in '89.

josh: 1st Sep 2012 - 04:14 GMT

ben goldman (my great grandfather) was picking up my mom (his grand daughter)at kennedy airport when he fell down the escalator and died. I've heard the story so many times. Nice to see people still talking about Eagle and my family.

Franca Tillona-Blei: 23rd Sep 2012 - 03:23 GMT

My Father Thomas F. Tillona was Vice President of Eagle Clothes.I was very young when he passed away one year after retiring but I remember many times he would bring me and my younger siblings to work and parade us through the factory. I remember my mother telling the story of how his partner and co-founder Ben Goldman died. I remember Fred and Stanley Goldman,their secretary Rose who we remained friends with till she died and of course the famous Eagle Clothes sign on top of the factory. Eagle Clothes was such a part of our lives, to this day I still meet people that either knew my father, or worked for him or owned an Eagle suit.

Max Goldman: 23rd Sep 2012 - 03:36 GMT

My great grand

father Ben Goldman and Gregory Peck.
My mother picked up this photo in my grandfather’s Manhattan townhouse basemen 27 years ago. It has been on the wall of our house for many years.

Edward Santoro: 24th Sep 2012 - 03:22 GMT

My father Saverio (Sam, Savy) Santoro, was a 'cutter' at Eagle circa 1957-1977. His bother Vincent and sisters Gabrielle and Rose were all in the garment industry. Gabrielle's husband Angelo Randazzo worked for the Amalgamated clothing workers union. I can remember when they all talked 'shop'. I miss them all. Does anyone remember them ?

Casey: 3rd Oct 2012 - 02:58 GMT

Stanley Goldman was my father and his 2nd wife, Nancy, is my mother so it looks like I have a few relatives posting here - hello family!

josh brody: 3rd Oct 2012 - 04:01 GMT

max great pic!

casey so good to hear from you.

Chaz Colli: 14th Nov 2012 - 07:34 GMT

where are the patterns for those classic suits? if only they could have hung on awhile longer. dapper is back thanks to mad men.. etc. would love to see an old catalog from Eagle circa 62-66.

Mel: 16th Nov 2012 - 16:13 GMT

I worked for Fred Goldman from 1965 to 1974 in the Brooklyn plant. Will never forget that period of my life. Fred was a great guy!

Mel: 16th Nov 2012 - 16:37 GMT

I was 21 when I started im now 68 I worked with Max Hornig, Joe Falcone, Hy Drobner, Moe Cooper etc

Nancy Goldman : 23rd Nov 2012 - 19:41 GMT

Thank you for all the wonderful comments about Eagle Clothes and the Goldman family.

Nancy Goldman (Stanleys,wife)

ncy Goldman {Stanley 's
Thank you for all the wond erful comments about Eagle Clothes and the Goldman f

Mel Kanowitz : 26th Nov 2012 - 13:26 GMT

Nancy,
Do you keep in touch with Fred, and can he be reached?

David Pollock: 4th Jan 2013 - 23:21 GMT

I am currently working on a design to expand the original Eagle Clothing building in Brooklyn which will potentially include the re-use development of the neon sign. Any information and history lesson would be wonderful

Judi : 17th Mar 2013 - 23:59 GMT

My mom worked for eagle clothes from about 69-77. She loved it there and I grew up listening to great stories of her times there. I would love to hear more from others

B Cohen Tesler: 7th Apr 2013 - 04:29 GMT

My father Arnold (Arnie) Cohen was a 'clothing cutter' too. The name Santoro, sounds very familiar. Gosh I wish my father could read these posts, I'm sure he knew most if not all of the people mentioned here. He was very proud of the quality of suits he helped to create. He'd bring home swatches of some of the wild linings used on the custom suits. He loved to show me suits in the windows of stores where the plaid or stripes matched perfectly, which demonstrated part of his job which in addition to cutting ( which he nearly cut one of his fingers off once) laying patterns. He worked there many years as did his father I believe, Jack Cohen. My father was layer off permanently mid to late 1970's. I thought it as due to all the importing of cheap suits.