A Spirit Expressed
Posted on | November 21, 2008 | 3 Comments
A Spirit Expressed
Deeper than clothes or business, my Dad was about helping people be the star of their life, a star in their own right. From first dates to Wedding Days and first gigs to sold-out shows, I watched my Dad get people ready, with charm, laughter, and wisdom, but not just their clothes, he helped get them ready. He always had some poignant advice or a much needed boost to their confidence or just would make them laugh. Almost every day I have the good fortune of hearing heartfelt stories from wonderful people about what my Dad and Cabaret means to them. This is not new though.
I’ve grown up in my family’s stores since about four years old. It is amazing the variety of people you meet in a vintage store. Hearing the tales and praise of my Dad had seemed so natural to me over my life that I think I may have taken it for granted. In this year without him though, my gratitude and reverence for the opportunity to carry on this special place, Cabaret, for our clients, and my family has deepened.
My Dad, Thomas Drayton, was an extraordinary man that embodied the essence of life and encapsulated much of that spirit in Cabaret. When you enter Cabaret it almost feels like a theatre, a stage. My family would sometimes joke that it was just Dad’s stage, a chance for him to perform, but I feel that the truth is, he hoped to bring out the star in all of his guests, from starving artists and prom goers to the many famous celebrities. Customers have told me that they would bring in their depressed friends just to cheer them up. One client said “I’m just glad to know a place like this exists.” Maybe it’s the nostalgia that all the vintage stirs up, or the way it is presented, but it seems that people feel something beyond this, an intangible that’s woven into the walls of Cabaret that my Dad started. Now we strive to continue this legacy and maintain the spirit in everything we do, so we remain a special and cherished place for all you stars of your own life.
Thank you Dad
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3 Responses to “A Spirit Expressed”
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March 18th, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
Thanks Tao for this wonderful article! It’s a great tribute to your dad and we are so glad that Cabaret is still a magical place!
March 18th, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
I used to own a bar on Queen Street called, “Nasa” back in the early 2000s. I walked along Queen Street everyday to get to work over a 5 year period, and passed your father on the side walk many times. I never knew who he was, but he seemed like the king of Queen West, he seemed to know everyone along the path, and people were constantly waving to him and calling his name, gathering around him.
He would always say hello to me, which is rare in Toronto when you haven’t ever met someone. Eventually we just got in the habit of saying hello, even though we had never even had a conversation beyond that and had no idea who the other person was.
It wasn’t until stumbling on this story that I realize he owned Cabaret – as I never encountered him in front of it, it was always further west.
I’m not on Queen West much anymore, but I am sure it’s not the same without him.
January 4th, 2011 @ 12:44 pm
Tao, thank you for writing this article. I met your father several years ago while shopping at Cabaret. He was so kind and although we’d never met before I felt like I was talking to an old friend. He was so kind and funny! I hope it brings you some comfort to know that a lot of people miss your dad and hold great memories of him in their hearts.
I still love shopping at Cabaret, and I am so very very happy that you are continuing the tradition!
I’ll be buying my wedding dress from you soon!