BOSUNS
WHAT’S IT TO YA?
Photos: Ararsa Kitaba
Bosuns is a vintage clothing store in Windsor, Ontario owned by Alex Grigorescu and Justin Coccimiglio. Driven by quality, history, and craftsmanship, they supply thoughtfully curated vintage spanning the 1940s to the 2000s. Alongside their regular selection, they're debuting a collection of hundreds of classic football jerseys during the World Cup for the community and fellow fans.
When did you guys first fall in love with football?
ALEX: Well, funny enough, his dad was my coach. [Justin] was the defender on the team. I actually remember his dad saying, ‘I don’t know what position I’m playing you ever’. He’d put me out left wing and I’d still find a way to end up at center mid or at striker or whatever. But yeah, I think we were like nine… yeah, around there. The orange team. Yeah, the orange team—everyone else on that team, I hope you see this.
Is there a club or country that’s close to your heart?
JUSTIN: Well, for me, I’m Italian, so at least I’ve been following them for as long as I can remember. They always surprise me—you never know what’s going to happen with them, but they’ll always be my team.
ALEX: Romanian national team, for sure. Both my parents and grandparents are Romanian. My grandfather was actually the one who introduced me to Romanian soccer. Watching him watch the games—me not really knowing what was going on at a younger age, but then finding out that Romania actually had some legends. Hagi kept a very, very close spot in my heart—him and his legacy—and now his son is trying his best to carry it through.
I would say Chelsea was actually a big, big team for me when Hazard was playing. When they had Courtois for that little time being, I thought I could be a goalie… but I’m only 5 '7, so that didn’t really work too well for me. But seeing Courtois kill it, David Luiz, Hazard of course. I wish he stayed there, but you can’t have everything.
When did you guys first fall in love with football?
ALEX: Well, funny enough, his dad was my coach. [Justin] was the defender on the team. I actually remember his dad saying, ‘I don’t know what position I’m playing you ever’. He’d put me out left wing and I’d still find a way to end up at center mid or at striker or whatever. But yeah, I think we were like nine… yeah, around there. The orange team. Yeah, the orange team—everyone else on that team, I hope you see this.
Is there a club or country that’s close to your heart?
JUSTIN: Well, for me, I’m Italian, so at least I’ve been following them for as long as I can remember. They always surprise me—you never know what’s going to happen with them, but they’ll always be my team.
ALEX: Romanian national team, for sure. Both my parents and grandparents are Romanian. My grandfather was actually the one who introduced me to Romanian soccer. Watching him watch the games—me not really knowing what was going on at a younger age, but then finding out that Romania actually had some legends. Hagi kept a very, very close spot in my heart—him and his legacy—and now his son is trying his best to carry it through.
I would say Chelsea was actually a big, big team for me when Hazard was playing. When they had Courtois for that little time being, I thought I could be a goalie… but I’m only 5 '7, so that didn’t really work too well for me. But seeing Courtois kill it, David Luiz, Hazard of course. I wish he stayed there, but you can’t have everything.
How have you guys been able to mix your passion for football with your love of vintage clothing?
ALEX: So it’s been, I’d say, a long time coming with collecting jerseys. We just opened up not too long ago, and as exciting as it would’ve been to release some jerseys throughout the summer, we said, “Okay, the World Cup is actually coming to us for the first time. Might as well do it big.”
We’re doing all-new releases for jerseys weekly. That’s honestly the most exciting part—knowing we can show up for the community and help people get World Cup-ready, whether they’re repping their country or just soaking it all in for a few days.
What’s your opinion on replica vs. authentic kits?
ALEX: From the seller’s point—don’t be selling any fake jerseys. But if you’re gonna honour that price and you’re gonna hook somebody up, they still get a jersey. You get to wear it to pick-up, beat the crap out of it — at least you’re wearing a kit at the end of the day. From a collector’s standpoint, you should get the real ones. But if you’re just gonna rock them, who cares? It’s not that deep at the end of the day. But we only sell authentic shirts here.
ALEX: So it’s been, I’d say, a long time coming with collecting jerseys. We just opened up not too long ago, and as exciting as it would’ve been to release some jerseys throughout the summer, we said, “Okay, the World Cup is actually coming to us for the first time. Might as well do it big.”
We’re doing all-new releases for jerseys weekly. That’s honestly the most exciting part—knowing we can show up for the community and help people get World Cup-ready, whether they’re repping their country or just soaking it all in for a few days.
What’s your opinion on replica vs. authentic kits?
ALEX: From the seller’s point—don’t be selling any fake jerseys. But if you’re gonna honour that price and you’re gonna hook somebody up, they still get a jersey. You get to wear it to pick-up, beat the crap out of it — at least you’re wearing a kit at the end of the day. From a collector’s standpoint, you should get the real ones. But if you’re just gonna rock them, who cares? It’s not that deep at the end of the day. But we only sell authentic shirts here.
How have you seen football culture change in Windsor over the years?
ALEX: The international tournaments bring the best out of everyone. I remember during the 2020 Euros Erie Street brought everybody together. I’m not Italian in any way, but sure as hell did I show up with my Italian kit. And it was so fun seeing so many different faces I never expected to be supporters of football, still putting those kits on, celebrating and getting all hyped up.
I think Windsor is definitely on the right track in exposing people more to this beautiful game that people are so far behind on, and I think jerseys are one of the best way to get people together.
JUSTIN: I was there. Honestly, it was really nice to watch Italy win something in my lifetime. I mean, they won in ’06, but I was five years old—I didn’t remember it. But it was, again, like you said, cool to see everyone down there. Even if they weren’t Italian—supporting England or whatever team—just being there for the excitement. I think that’s what Windsor needs: more excitement. And with a tournament like this coming up, I think we only have high hopes.
ALEX: The international tournaments bring the best out of everyone. I remember during the 2020 Euros Erie Street brought everybody together. I’m not Italian in any way, but sure as hell did I show up with my Italian kit. And it was so fun seeing so many different faces I never expected to be supporters of football, still putting those kits on, celebrating and getting all hyped up.
I think Windsor is definitely on the right track in exposing people more to this beautiful game that people are so far behind on, and I think jerseys are one of the best way to get people together.
JUSTIN: I was there. Honestly, it was really nice to watch Italy win something in my lifetime. I mean, they won in ’06, but I was five years old—I didn’t remember it. But it was, again, like you said, cool to see everyone down there. Even if they weren’t Italian—supporting England or whatever team—just being there for the excitement. I think that’s what Windsor needs: more excitement. And with a tournament like this coming up, I think we only have high hopes.
What are your World Cup hopes for Canada? Culture-wise across the country, what do you want to see change?
ALEX: I would just love to see more people wearing jerseys casually. It’s gonna be summertime, it’s gonna be hot out, you better be rocking something. Wear a soccer jersey and wear it loud and proud. I think that’ll bring people together and, if anything, highlight the World Cup more. Especially with the retro kits, you get one now, you’re gonna have that thing forever. And it’s only gonna increase in value if you want to look at it that way.
Culture-wise, I’d just like to see more people kicking a ball around. I think Windsor needs that, more fields or more pickup games. I couldn’t even tell you where to go to look for a pickup game in Windsor. But hopefully next year some things change and people just want to be out and moving around. I think that’s what Windsor needs.
JUSTIN: We want to host watch parties, too. We’d love to have people come here, watch a game, show up in their jerseys. We’re gonna try and get everyone in Windsor wearing kits.
ALEX: I would just love to see more people wearing jerseys casually. It’s gonna be summertime, it’s gonna be hot out, you better be rocking something. Wear a soccer jersey and wear it loud and proud. I think that’ll bring people together and, if anything, highlight the World Cup more. Especially with the retro kits, you get one now, you’re gonna have that thing forever. And it’s only gonna increase in value if you want to look at it that way.
Culture-wise, I’d just like to see more people kicking a ball around. I think Windsor needs that, more fields or more pickup games. I couldn’t even tell you where to go to look for a pickup game in Windsor. But hopefully next year some things change and people just want to be out and moving around. I think that’s what Windsor needs.
JUSTIN: We want to host watch parties, too. We’d love to have people come here, watch a game, show up in their jerseys. We’re gonna try and get everyone in Windsor wearing kits.