Think Retail Turns 20: Tony Flanz Reflects on the Journey [Video Interview]

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Craig Patterson and Tony Flanz, founder and CEO of Montreal-based brokerage Think Retail, discuss the 20-year journey of Think Retail, the Montreal-based brokerage firm founded by Flanz in 2005. Flanz shares the inspiration behind launching his business—a desire to provide a more personalized, white-glove service to clients—and reflects on his first client, Bizou, a relationship that blossomed into a deeply personal, multi-generational collaboration. His unwavering passion and client-first approach remain at the heart of Think Retail’s success, which continues to grow through long-term partnerships and strategic leasing across Canada.

They explore milestone moments, including the pivotal Fossil mandate, early deals like American Apparel at Yorkdale, and the emotional story of Flanz’s philanthropic work with Autism Speaks. While building his firm, Flanz faced immense personal challenges—supporting a son diagnosed with autism and caring for a terminally ill wife—yet he continued to grow the business with resilience and optimism. He credits the brokerage as both a professional outlet and emotional anchor during these years.

They also discuss how Think Retail is shaping the future of Canadian retail, from introducing international brands like Adopt, Kmart 24, and Morgan de Toi, to helping Crocs expand across Canada. Flanz emphasizes the enduring value of integrity, relationships, and local market insight in an industry increasingly shaped by online retail, entertainment-focused malls, and digital tools. Looking ahead, he sees vast opportunity for global brands in Canada, thanks to low market saturation, high-performing malls, and a strong national identity.

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Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

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