State & Liberty, the menswear brand that is revolutionizing men’s dress clothing with performance fabrics and a true athletic fit, is expanding nationwide with new stores slated to open next year in Salt Lake City, Utah; Nashville, Tenn; and Dedham, Mass., outside of Boston.
Carter D’Auria and Don Edrington with SRS Real Estate Partners have teamed with State & Liberty to spearhead their continued portfolio growth across the U.S. They negotiated a 1,608-square-foot lease at City Creek Center, an upscale open-air retail center in downtown Salt Lake City. The Mall at Green Hills near downtown Nashville is the site of a 1,203-square-foot store that will mark the brand’s second location in Nashville. An additional lease for 1,426 square feet was signed at Legacy Place in Dedham, Mass., which will be the second store in the Boston area.
“State & Liberty is focused on strategically placing their retail stores in key high-end locations to provide the luxury and mixed-use environments their customers prefer,” said Edrington.
“Synergy amongst retailers within a project is important,” said D’Auria. “We focus on curated street retail and lifestyle centers with a natural mix of tenants in line with their core customers where the approach to merchandising is curated to deliver a boutique-like shopping experience.”
Founded in 2015 in Ann Arbor, Mich. by two University of Michigan alumni, State & Liberty expanded quickly to 26 U.S. retail locations that cater to men with an athletic build. Frustrated by the lack of professional shirts available for athletes, founders Steven Fisher and Lee Moffie developed well-fitting menswear crafted from comfortable, moisture-wicking, low maintenance fabric. Their extensive clothing line now includes everything from buttery soft T-shirts to 4-way stretch tuxedos.
Recognizing that experience is crucial in today’s retail environment, State & Liberty focuses on creating a comfortable and relaxed vibe where consumers not only want to shop but also hang out. Relaxed lounge spaces with leather sofas, TVs, open bars and putting greens enhance the shopping experience and community-based atmosphere in stores.
“We pride ourselves on an old school approach to service and sales. Our team are not just sales people — they are a full-on concierge for our customers on all things menswear,” said Fisher. “Our stores are not a marketing expense. They are an extremely profitable customer acquisition vehicle as well as a space to service our existing customers.”
“People do not just go to a store to shop anymore; they want an experience,” said Moffie. “That is exactly what we deliver. We blend high-end retail with a relaxed lounge space and complimentary beer and cocktails. Other attractions such as putting greens and live music make our stores a destination where guys will hang out for hours.”
State & Liberty has opened 26 retail locations in the last eight years. Their aggressive growth plan includes three stores that recently opened on Girard Avenue in La Jolla, Calif.; at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, Calif. and at Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.
About State & Liberty
Founded in 2015 by Steve Fisher & Lee Moffie, State & Liberty has filled a gap in the market when it comes to professional clothing for men with an athletic build. Their products include dress shirts, pants, and suits crafted from athletic performance fabric. Starting as an e-commerce company, State and Liberty has since opened 26 stores throughout the US and Canada. For more information visit stateandliberty.com.
About SRS Real Estate Partners
Founded in 1986, SRS Real Estate Partners is building upon its retail foundation to provide extensive commercial real estate solutions to tenants, owners, and investors. Headquartered in Dallas, with 28 offices in the U.S., SRS has grown into one of the industry’s most influential and respected leaders. Our commitment to excellence is strengthened by our Guarantee of Value and our success is measured in the achievement of our clients’ objectives, satisfaction, and trust. For more information, please visit srsre.com.