His: A Gentleman’s Sundry

Downtown Grass Valley is going uptown, thanks to imaginative local merchants. New stores are opening that offer some of the freshest and most innovative ideas in retailing — without traveling “off the hill,” let alone to a big city.

Nowhere is this more apparent than at His. A Gentleman’s Sundry, which opened last fall at 202 West Main St., one of the most stylish retailers we’ve seen in the foothills. (Think affordable, Kinfolk– and GQ– approved labels designed for an upscale-casual lifestyle).

The men’s clothing and specialty store is the creation of Gina and Will Ford. Their store addresses a complaint we often hear from locals: the foothills lack high quality men’s stores.

“We offer a man friendly shopping experience,” says Gina. The Fords know their audience: Gina has worldwide retail experience, and four of the Fords five children are boys.

The store sells pants, jackets (some with fleece collars), cool cardigans, flannel shirts, sweet-look- ing sneakers, hats and accessories to “dress like the best, un-basic version of yourself,” as GQ would put it.

A corner of the store is dedicated to athletic goods, including leather boxing gloves, along with a vintage poster of Sugar Ray Robinson — a “manly” display.

Menswear and streetwear stores such as His are becoming popular across the nation. Kinfolk in Brooklyn is a store that Kinfolk magazine helped pioneer; Unionmade in San Francisco features rugged, classic-looking clothes; and Supply & Advise in Miami is a menswear store where “blue collar & Ivy League” collide.

Some of the stores offer libations while men shop. At His, men can enjoy a craft beer from Grass Valley Brewing Co. or another local craft beer on tap while shopping, an enjoyable experience.

Will’s construction business built all of the store displays, and Gina has hired local craftspeople to decorate the store, including imaginative bar stools and standing mirrors. His also carries local artists’ goods, including knives, jewelry and wall art. The Fords are firm believers in the “shop local” mantra, something we appreciate.

202 W. Main St., Grass Valley, CA 530-802-5025 and find them on Facebook.

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