The Suite Depot : An Oak Park Destination Store

Story by Sara E. Teller
Photo by Bernie Laframboise

Marty Babyov, owner of The Suit Depot, became an entrepreneur in his teens after watching his older brother sell items on eBay. “I opened my eBay account when I was 12-years-old. I initially opened it to purchase, and I didn’t get serious about selling on eBay until I was 16,” he explained.

“Before that, I watched my brother list random items that the previous owners of our home had left behind. It amazed me that items which had no value when we were limited to a local market sold immediately once offered to a global market. I started off selling whatever was laying around: electronics, apparel, etc.”

Then, he made the fateful decision to start marketing mens wear. “At one point, my cousin heard I was selling on eBay and gave me some of his out-grown high-end dress shirts to sell. I was shocked when they sold for over$25 a piece. It got me thinking about apparel and mens wear in particular.” Marty was drawn, specifically, to the timelessness of the wear. “It retains its value, and it’s a niche market in which I could become an expert and cement a business reputation around that.”

He started off small, in his parents’ basement, but soon needed more space. “I quickly outgrew it, so in 2009, I moved to our first warehouse in Oak Park,” he explained. “In 2015, we decided to open a pilot retail store to test the local retail market. It was well received, so we expanded our mini-store and added on another 8,000 square feet making up the full 11,000 square-foot store we have now.”

Selecting Oak Park for the brick and mortar was a no-brainer. “I chose Oak Park for a few reasons. I live right across the street in Southfield, so it’s convenient. Real estate prices in Oak Park were amazing compared to some other areas. It might not be the biggest city, but it’s safe and right off the major freeways so people can easily get to us from surrounding cities. I figured if the store isn’t worth driving 15-20 minutes for, then I haven’t created a business. While locals support us, we also have customers coming from as far as Flint, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and even Ohio and Toronto. It’s a destination store.”

He also appreciates the close-knit community Oak Park has to offer. “It’s amazing how easily you can contact the Mayor or City Manager, whether by calling them or messaging them on social media. The city services are some of the best in the area, and they really do a great job of keeping it small and friendly.”

The Suit Depot, Marty said, is both a discount and luxury retailer. “Our motto is ‘Style. Value. Service.’ When it comes to mens wear, customers are used to having to choose between discount prices or full-service,” he explained. “We pride ourselves on combining the two. We’re a discount store but stock a larger inventory and offer service and expertise usually only found at luxury retailers.”

When he’s not busy running his company, Marty is out and about in Oak Park. “I enjoy roller-blading and biking. As an Orthodox Jew I only eat kosher, so Oak Park is definitely the place to be. There are a few great kosher restaurants and a bakery on Greenfield Road so I can always run out for a quick bite in the middle of the day.” He also helps out local charities, saying, “I enjoy the opportunity The Suit Depot gives me to assist local charities in dressing the needy.”

As far as future store plans, Marty has a new venture in the works. “While we have no immediate plans for expansion of the retail store, we are launching a side business independent of The Suit Depot that will make custom suits,” he said. “The service will also be available in The Suit Depot’s Oak Park location.”