Open the door at 443 Bridge St. NW and step into a minimalist's dream of spare furnishings that show off the sleek denim fashions that beckon you to try them on.
DENYM, a retail shop offering upscale men's and women's denim clothing for a night out or a business casual day, opens this Saturday right next door to The Conscious Collective.
Owner Katie Harney designed the store with male shoppers in mind, putting the men's fashions in the front of the store because men are uncomfortable winding their way amid racks of feminine fashions to get to the men's clothing.
The shop's high ceilings, original brick walls, wood floor, and stylish dark gray paint create a warm, welcoming backdrop for the jeans, tees, shirts, tops, and dresses. Barn-style sliding doors open to light, roomy fitting rooms. A casual seating area with couches and armchairs encourage you to bring along friends who can relax while Harney helps you find just the right fit.
"You might need to try on tons of jeans before you're comfortable with just the right pair," Harney says. "I really want to help people look good. I want to provide that great customer service that keeps people coming back."
That desire to provide stellar customer service shows up in Harney's attention to detail: she invited several friends to try on clothes in the fitting rooms to make sure there was adequate space and privacy.
The store carries a number of brand names, including
Hudson,
Joe's Jeans,
7 for All Mankind,
Fidelity,
Henry & Belle,
Siwy,
Greylin, and others.
Not everything is made from denim, but the shirts, tops, and sweaters that aren't have been specially selected by Harney to complement denim. There's also a unique selection of non-denim skirts and dresses suitable for work, a night out, or even an afternoon wedding.
"We've gotten a lot of positive feedback from men," Harney says. "I think Grand Rapids is lacking men's selection in nice clothing."
The store opens Saturday at 11 a.m. Regular hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. - Sat.; noon to 4 p.m. Sun.
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of DENYM
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