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The inspiration for Armitage & McMillan came when Daniel Armitage, a native of Oklahoma who once lived in Denver, was working as a UNIS operating manager and buyer in New York, and started thinking that Denver needed a space for well-made menswear. "At UNIS we learned how to brand and get our name out there," says Armitage.Darin Combs, another native Oklahoman who'd worked as a vintage and antiques buyer for the Brooklyn Circus and Smith+Butler in Brooklyn as well as for Urban Treasure Hunter.com, joined Armitage in the new venture. (And here's a fun fact: McMillan is the maiden name of Combs's mother; he decided to use that moniker instead of Combs in the store's name because "it sounds cooler," he says.)
The two drew from their experience as well as their travels in planning the store, which follows their personal style principles. "I like to know that I can put something on and it will never go out of style, whether it is tomorrow or two years from now," says Combs, noting that the store will stock simple and classic clothes, nothing too fashion-forward or flashy. "We'll carry shirts and pants that fit well, staple pieces. You don't have to reinvent the wheel," he adds.
But Armitage & McMillan will bring something new to Denver. "Steadbrook is one great menswear store in Denver. We are not filling a void, but adding to the community here," Armitage explains. "Denver needed a menswear store that is a lifestyle store as well."
So Armitage & McMillan is designed as a one-stop place where men can go to find all the items needed for a fashionable lifestyle. It will have men's shirts, T-shirts, jackets and outerwear, as well as chinos and pants in premium, raw and salvage denim. Accessories will include shoes, bags, wallets and backpacks (some handmade leather goods) as well as jewelry, watches, ties, scarves and pocket squares.
But there will also be select home goods, including wool blankets, candles and even magazines. Armitage & McMillan will have Fellow, Inventory , Saturdays and Monocle in stock, all magazines that cater to an artisan audience.
The shop will also feature select photography from Foster Huntington's series "A Restless Transplant." Click here to check out his photography.
Among the brands the shop will carry: UNIS New York, Noble Denim, Steven Alan, Save Khaki, Saturdays Surf NYC, Mt.Rainier, BillyKirk, Centre Commercial Shoes, FairEnds, Epperson Mountaineering and The Hill-Side.
The store's soft opening is set for Saturday, March 15. A more elaborate grand opening will come later this year, in the summer or fall to coincide with the arrival of new collections from designers.
"We have word of mouth going, so we want to just open the doors and start selling," says Armitage. After the opening, the hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday. Check Armitage and McMillan's Facebook page for updates.
