An iconic Toronto restaurant just released a line of athleisure
And they teamed up with a fashion icon to do so
Since 1912, United Bakers has been serving up old-world Jewish favourites like blintzes, pea soup, chopped herring and cabbage rolls to a steady stream of regulars and newcomers. Today, they announced something different—yet completely fitting—on the menu: a collection of leisurewear (complete with elastic-waistband pants).
Today, on Instagram of all places (insert bubbe-flailing-hands emoji), the folks at UB announced a collaboration with local beachwear brand Bather and iconic fashion zaide Syd Beder (pictured above). “Syd brought Lululemon to Toronto, grew Roots, and introduced the city to premium flannel and denim. One day we connected on the front steps of the restaurant and started chatting about our merchandise—next thing you know, Syd was working with us to develop our comfort collection,” the post reads.
Related: Toronto’s best bagels
And the Bather ties run deep, according to Kyle Kaminsky, owner of the brand. “Nathan Ladovsky is the fourth-generation owner of United Bakers, and his grandparents were actually friends with my grandparents. We initially connected because my brother, Evan, designed their menus,” says Kaminsky. “Nathan reached out about a merch collab, and it just clicked—families with history, made-in-Canada vibes, and a shared love for comfy, stylish gear.”
The collection, available on the United Bakers website, includes a lightweight, gefilte fish–coloured, 100 per cent cotton crewneck jersey T-shirt featuring the United Bakers logo on the front and an inscription on the back that reads: “Call U.B. at 416-789-0519 for take out or catering.... Then call your mother—she’s worried about you.” The lineup also features a special-edition comfort suit from Bather, with sweatpants and a sweatshirt made from lightweight French terry cotton, designed to maximize style while still allowing room to gorge on cream-cheese-slathered twister bagels. Disclaimer: size up if you’re adding lox.
Erin Hershberg is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in the lifestyle sector. She currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and two children.
