Revisiting this post from 2012 devoted to the legendary founder of The Andover Shop.
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Yesterday menswear omnivore Derek Guy of Die Workwear! and Put This On started a tumblr devoted to the wit and wisdom of menswear legend Charlie Davidson, the octogenarian owner of The Andover Shop. “The Quotable Charlie Davidson,” a breezy little print tome, would be a logical next step.
Charlie-isms are rare, hence their value. When I interviewed him over several occasions for The Rake, he was an absolute aphoristic sound-byte spewing machine. Only trouble was that none of it had to do with the story I was trying to write. Charlie is a delightful conversationalist but a frustrating interview subject.
The icing on the cake is the delightful self-contradictions of some of his greatest epigrams. I got him to cough up, “I can’t believe anyone with taste would buy anything over the Internet.” Meanwhile The Andover Shop recently revamped its website.
Pictured above is the legend working the floor of his Cambridge shop, where according to sources he barely takes a moment to sit down all day long. “It’s a party in here every day,” he told me of his retail career, and why he has no plans to retire. — CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD
Between your postings and Tinseth’s on the AS and CD I’m going to have to make a trip there sometime soon. Which location does Charlie work at?
I can’t wait for them to stock their online shop.
Looking forward to reading the profile and visitng the store for the first time next month.
Charlie took my wife and me with him to Bobby Short’s last gig at The Carlyle. When Charlie entered the room the band stood up! We drank champagne all night, and when Short finished the last set, he came over to our table and we talked into the early morning. That’s the way Charlie rolled. Pure swank all the way!
Bittersweet. Love that tattersall waistcoat.
My wife and I visited The Andover Shop in December as the first snow of winter fell. It was our first time in the area and we almost walked past it. I could sense the history in this tiny, disheveled store. I inquired if Mr. Davidson was available but he was out. There were a couple of reserved looking customers being helped and I could tell my wife was ready to go. Had I known its days were numbered, I would have insisted on staying longer and buying something.
Will
Completely unrelated. Does anybody think this sweatshirt should be given a dignified burial or does it have, as I believe, at least ten more years of wear.
Will
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Will, we can’t see the sweater, could you provide another link or a description?