Browns Sports

Stroll into Brown's Sports & Cycle on a spring day and you'll notice a steady stream of customers. Some come in for a bike tune-up, getting their wheels ready for a new riding season, while others come in search of a new pair of tennis shoes. Some just come to chat with the friendly, knowledgeable employees of this neighbourhood retailer that's been serving generations of Torontonians for more than 80 years.

Floyd Quennell founded the sporting goods retailer in 1929 at 343 Yonge Street (this famed address is where Sam The Record Man was later located). Today, the family tradition continues – third generation owner Steve Quennell is very hands-on, stringing tennis racquets in-store and helping customers find what they are looking for, just like his grandfather and father did before him.

Steve started working at the Yonge Street store in the 1960s sweeping floors, stocking shelves and cleaning his father's desk. These days, John-Paul Raymond manages the store's day-to-day operations.