2 of a Kind

The TPWP architecture contributor called me a few days ago exclaiming "I just visited the best furnished clothing store in the city." A very grave statement from a very discerning guy - so I rushed to visit this store, expecting, I dunno, something shockingly different. Instead I found a very simple and subtly creative store which he describes as a great example for aspiring retailers that are looking to stand out - without spending too much.

For The Greater Good is a 2-month old Menswear Outpost in the newly nascent shopping hub of the 1700 block of Florida Avenue. They have an eclectic mix of young designer labels and contemporary mens fashion brands such as Comme Des Garcons, Stone Island, Maiden Noir, Public School, Red Wing, Clarks, Common Projects, Fullcount Japan, APC, Shades of Greige.

This is what our contributor finds special about the design of the store - They started with a great blank space of concrete floors and white walls and created a sophisticated interior aesthetic by using simple walnut boxes to display clothes and to create a register





They used simple, inexpensive materials to build their clothing racks




They injected character with a clever addition of inexpensive vintage speakers


They elevated the design of the space with a Bertoia Diamond Chair in the dressing room and an Eames walnut stool in the store.




Successfully AND inexpensively they have created a space with a clear statement relevant to their store and their clothes - conversely to many big-box-retailers who over-design spaces, spend thousands of dollars, and end up with a space with an undefined point of view.