Downtown Grand Rapids' growing retail market can add a vintage and new men's apparel shop to its list of outside-the-box shopping experiences.
Off the Cuff, a venture by Lenny and Sarah Ables, who also own the inventive
Chai Boutique, opened on Monday in the Shops @ Monroe Center & Division, known as
MoDiv (40 Monroe Center NW).
Sarah Ables, 33, opened Chai Boutique in a large space on Knapp St. NE in February 2011, then relocated to about 200-square-feet in MoDiv last October. The success of that shop, a women's vintage and new apparel and vintage furniture store, prompted Lenny, 40, to follow his dream of owning a retail business. He left a fulltime sales job to pursue the opportunity in another 200 square foot space near Chai Boutique.
"Being at MoDiv since October, we've seen a lot of couples and men come through, and there's really not a lot for men to shop for here," says Sarah Ables. "There's
Wolverine [Company Store], but not much else, so we thought why not try it. Maybe this needs to be available for men downtown."
Off the Cuff has a selection of new and vintage clothing and accessories for men, including T-shirts, casual attire, wallets, money clips, belts, vintage and new shirts, hats and jewelry, says Ables. New apparel includes
Alternative Apparel T-shirts, and the store has a selection of Members Only vintage.
"With the hotels downtown, there are a lot of people from out of town," Ables says. "We have excellent restaurants with great food, wonderful boutiques and shopping, and we have the Civic Theater and plenty of entertainment as well."
Off the Cuff hours: Mon. through Weds., Fri. 11 to 6; Thurs., 11 to 7; Sat. 11 to 5.
Source: Sarah Ables, Chai Boutique and Off the Cuff
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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