Fashion & Beauty

Todd Snyder opens a menswear shop in Tribeca’s former ‘Liquor Store’

Itā€™s unusual for a new retail space to feel like a homecoming. But when American menswear designer (whose fans include The Rock, Nick Jonas and Armie Hammer) steps into his new Tribeca shop, the nostalgišŸŒ³a flows freely.

ā€œI was here way back in the day when J.Crew opened the space in 2008,ā€ says Snyder, a former senior vice president and menswear designer at J.Crew, who also worked with Polo Ralph Lauren and Gap before launching his own eponymous brand in 2011.šŸŽ ā€œIt became a mecca for menswear. So when it became available, I jumped at the chance. It was very kismet.ā€

After J.Crewā€™s departure last March from 235 W. Broadway ā€” which the retailer dubbed when it converted (with Snyderā€™s help) a former bar into one of its prepšŸŒŒpy outź¦›posts ā€” the designer worked quickly to reopen inside the 1809 building.

Snyder added reclaimed French oak herringbone flooring, a coffered ceiling and walls, and painted everything mšŸ§øilitary olive ā€” his signature color.

Designer Todd Snyder
Designer Todd SnyderJohn Keon

ā€œš’†™Iā€™m inspired by military and sartorial, with a New York style,ā€ he says, gesturing around the shop. ā€œFor me, this really represents that.ā€

As for the original bar at the front entrance? Itā€™s still fully intactā™”.

ā€œItā€™s like an old menā€™s club but clean and modern,ā€ Snyder tells Alexa. ā€œI wanted šŸ“to create a place where guys can gather and drink whiskey.ā€

To that end, Snyder has curated a mix of offerings, combining his high-end looks ā€” think SavÜ«ile Row-influenced suiting in relaxed American cuts ā€” and less formal brand collabs with New Balance, Timex and Champion.

The intimate sļ·½ź§’tore (which opens this week) will focus on giving shoppers personalized attention, with bespoke and made-to-measure suiting, as well as customizable items like a satin bomber jacket and a retro bowling shirt.

And if things aź¦šre taking a while in the fitting room, not to worry. Thereā€™s a brass buzzer with instructions to ā€œbuzz for whiskey.ā€

ā€œThe really cool thing about the store is that everything is for sale,ā€ says Snyder, who partnered with 1stdibs on all the furniture and lighting. ā€œFor instance, this 1920s table mixed with mid-century modern stools ā€” itā€™s all for sale, down to the art, books and fixtures. Itā€™s šŸ’ƒabout lifestyle.ā€

His original flagship will remainį€£šŸ» open at 25 E. 26th St., and heā€™s planning to open a third location in Los Angeles next year.

ā€œThis store is a satellite thatā€™s meant to service the Downtown guy,ā€ Snyder says. ā€œIt will give the customer a taste of what we do … which is breaking rules, not conforming and mixing street with sartorial.ā€

Todd Snyder's "Liquor Store"
Todd Snyder’s “Liquor Store”John Keon