Following a trial run last year, Pursuit is back for another go with their pop-up retail concept in the South Campus Gateway.
“Our first pop-up shop, which I call a beta test, taught us a lot,” says Nate DeMars, CEO & Founder of Pursuit. “We learned that guys love our narrowed offerings of slim, modern suits and shirts because they have a hard time finding good fitting, reasonably priced clothes at the traditional places. They also seemed to really love the personal touch, talking to the owner, and knowing that it’s a local store.”
DeMars says that the first attempt at a pop-up also helped his team to identify issues with their concept. The initial focus included more basic colors and simple patterns, but their customers gravitated toward trendy designs and accessories, which will be more of a focus in the new iteration of their store. Brands and labels that Pursuit carries includes DKNY, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Grand Street, DiBi, HOMAGE and Alison Rose.
“Just because we’re near campus doesn’t mean our store only works for college guys,” says DeMars. “We’ve sold suits to guys of all ages and it seems the reasons are much the same — they were tired of boxy suits at other stores and they didn’t enjoy their other options.”
Pursuit is sticking to the short term pop-up business model so that their concept can go “on the road” to college campus locations in other cities, which will help avoid a lull during the slow summer months.
“Campus Partners is willing to accomodate the pop-up model with short term leases and also is great to help promote us through their marketing efforts,” says DeMars. “Working with the right landlord is very important with a non-traditional approach like ours.”
Pursuit can be found at 1572 North High Street in the South Campus Gateway (across the pedestrian alley from the Gateway Film Center) and will operate through mid-June.
More information can be found online at www.pursuityourself.com.
Photo provided by Chris Walker Photography. Chris Walker works as a on-Location commercial photographer working with cooperate, advertising, and editorial clients. If you would like to connect with Chris Walker Photography, email [email protected], or visit www.CWalkerPhotography.com.