In the fall of each year, Tom Mihalik makes a short trek from his store in Kensington Market to a lecture theatre on U of T’s St. George campus for what has become a very cherished tradition.
He’s there to share his story — and the story of Tom’s Place, the men’s clothing business he has owned and operated for many decades — with students taking a course called CHE488 Entrepreneurship and Business for Engineers, which today is taught by adjunct professor Vince Arone.
“Vince is such a kind, good-hearted gentleman, and so well prepared,” says Mihalik.
“He makes copies of the radio ads that we do, and plays them for the students, so that when I get there, they know all about me. I feel like a superstar, larger than life. I look forward to it every year.”
Tom’s Place was founded in 1958 by Tom’s father, William Mihalik, a Hungarian immigrant who built his livelihood through hard work and trust. Growing up in Kensington Market, Tom learned the business through experience, eventually transforming it into one of Canada’s most respected independent menswear retailers.
“I went to school at Oxford — by which I mean the corner of Oxford and Spadina,” says Mihalik, referring to an intersection just a couple of blocks away from where his store now stands.
“There was a fruit store there, Budapest Fruits, that was owned by friends of my father. They gave me my first part-time job, at 12 years old, and I became one of their best salesmen. Many of the customers were Hungarian immigrants, like us, so we could talk about anything.”
One of these fellow Hungarians was Professor Emeritus Joseph Paradi (ChemE). Paradi’s research at U of T Engineering focused on applying engineering principles to areas such as entrepreneurship and business development.
It was Paradi who created the entrepreneurship course, and who first invited Mihalik to be a guest lecturer for his students.
“Joe knew my dad. He bought his first leather jacket from his store — I probably sold it to him,” says Mihalik.
“He asked me to come talk to his students about my story, about my business and about the history of Kensington Market, which I’ve always been so attached to.”
Arone, who took over the course from Paradi in 2023, says that Mihalik’s perspective on business in invaluable and becomes more so every year.
“His insights are grounded in real experience, and his approach resonates deeply with engineering students who are beginning to consider what it means to build something of their own,” says Arone.
“I always learn something new from Tom’s visits to the classroom.”
Mihalik is also a donor to the many different faculties at U of T. He has given to Arts & Science, Rotman, Temerty Medicine, Jackman Law, Pharmacy, U of T Scarborough and, of course, U of T Engineering.
Mihalik gives to the 8T8 Resilience Award created by Arone and his classmates to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their graduation. The award supports undergraduate students on the basis of financial need.
“I’ve always seen U of T and the students there as a key part of what makes Kensington Market special; we’re all one community,” says Mihalik.
“If you come during graduation, our store is full of first-time suit buyers, and many come back in a few years to buy another one for their wedding. I’m lucky that our business is strong enough that I can make a donation to support those that need it, and I hope that more people can do the same. After all, they are our future.”
