Houston or Atlanta: Which is in more need of a high quality menswear or men's dress shoe store?

[Viatu]

Thoughts?

 

[hookem12387]

Houston is in serious need of one. I've thought about trying to put together a plan to open one, but I don't have the time or the knowledge to really do it right.

 

[Claghorn]

If there is still none in 30 years, I'll be looking into it.

 

[losrockets]

If there is still none in 30 years, I'll be looking into it.

Likewise, though more like 35 for me, and in HTX. Dallas has a few nice places (eg. Pockets). We've got Norton Ditto, Sid Mashburn, and M Penner on the high end and they're alright but I don't think Norton or M Penner have much of the sort of stuff I'm looking for. It's nice having Sid here for sure, and they carry a great selection of brands. Still a student so what I can buy there is quite limited. Festari is...meh. I also haven't been impressed by much at Rye51. I still need to check out Dryden Kreps. On the streetwear side I think Reserve Supply and The Class Room do a really good job with the mainstream brands IMO. AFAIK nobody carrying Japanese stuff like Needles.

I would love for somebody to start carrying Carmina.

Options are certainly increasing though, Suit Supply recently opened, John Lobb, Cucinelli, ?Etro?, Tom Ford, and a few more super high-end brands are opening up shops at BLVD Place (I think that's the name) in the next 1-2 years. None of these (excepting SS) are what I'd consider Styleforum staples for that sweet spot of great quality without excessive markup.

 

[jrd617]

Ummm doesn't Atlanta has Sid Mashburn?

Definitely more for Houston

 

[Viatu]

Ummm doesn't Atlanta has Sid Mashburn?

Definitely more for Houston

Sid Mashburn is in both ATL and Houston.

 

[LA Guy]

There is more money in Houston, so I would say, Houston?

 

[Viatu]

There is more money in Houston, so I would say, Houston?

Hmmm...

 

[LA Guy]

I've actually given some serious thought to this. I think that a mini-chain of stores in strategic cities in the south could do okay if approached properly.

 

[jrd617]



There is more money in Houston, so I would say, Houston?

Is it? This census data from 2013 says that Atlanta wins in median household income and per capita income. ATL also has more population

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highest-income_metropolitan_statistical_areas_in_the_United_States

 

[losrockets]

I think Sid and Suit Supply are going to make a positive change in the way HTX is dressed. We're a pretty poorly dressed city on the whole, larger-sized oil barons aside. I have been noticing more AE and Alden lately but also I do have a very skewed perspective basically living and operating inside the TMC exclusively for the past several years. When I go to Sid Mashburn it's encouraging to see men in their 30's and 40's taking an interest and dressing well. And it's O_O to see folks walk out with a couple pairs of Edward Greens! A mini chain would do well here, though I think you'd have to be careful not to fall into the Ben Silver/Vineyard Vines/Brooks Brothers look because there's already quite a bit of that here.

@jrd617 Houston is the 4th largest city, we have a very large and hardworking immigrant population as a major port city, and a large displaced/homeless contingent. Furthermore I do think it's possible that there's a more equitable distribution of wealth in ATL whereas HTX has a larger number of millionaires and billionaires.

 

[hookem12387]

I think a store that focused on under 40 or 50 year old professionals and similar would do well here (Houston). I know a ton of people that want to dress better, they just don't really know how, and don't want to spend the time to learn. A store that catered to that would, I think, do well.

 

[Southeasterly]

I'm not familiar with Houston. ATL has some pretty good options. Sid has some nice stuff, but frankly the vibe of the store strikes me as hokey. I always find Hong Kong Tailor to be first rate and Neil is great with fittings. I think there are some other solid tailors in town too. I haven't checked out H Stockton, but they have some legit brands (Samuelsohn, Alden). I feel like ATL could mostly use some more shoe choice. I don't know of a Carmina retailer here and that seems silly.

 

[LA Guy]

I think Sid and Suit Supply are going to make a positive change in the way HTX is dressed. We're a pretty poorly dressed city on the whole, larger-sized oil barons aside. I have been noticing more AE and Alden lately but also I do have a very skewed perspective basically living and operating inside the TMC exclusively for the past several years. When I go to Sid Mashburn it's encouraging to see men in their 30's and 40's taking an interest and dressing well. And it's O_O to see folks walk out with a couple pairs of Edward Greens! A mini chain would do well here, though I think you'd have to be careful not to fall into the Ben Silver/Vineyard Vines/Brooks Brothers look because there's already quite a bit of that here.

@jrd617 Houston is the 4th largest city, we have a very large and hardworking immigrant population as a major port city, and a large displaced/homeless contingent. Furthermore I do think it's possible that there's a more equitable distribution of wealth in ATL whereas HTX has a larger number of millionaires and billionaires.

I think a store that focused on under 40 or 50 year old professionals and similar would do well here (Houston). I know a ton of people that want to dress better, they just don't really know how, and don't want to spend the time to learn. A store that catered to that would, I think, do well.

From what I know of the city (my wife went to high school there), there are a lot of 30 and 40 somethings who would be interested in more classic menswear. I could see the understated style of of a guy like @Claghorn being a good template for what could be offered. There seems to be a demographic hungry for reasonably priced tailoring and footwear (Carmina seems to be an obvious choice) combined with good advice.

Cheers,

Fok.