AMPERSAND COLLECTIVE TO BRING ONLINE MEN’S BRANDS TO NYC HOLIDAY POP-UP

by Stephen Garner

Open from December 6 through December 16, a group of like-minded independent brands called Ampersand Collective will debut a holiday pop-up shop.

Located at 198 Allen Street, the 10-day pop-up will feature gifts and gets for him from digitally-native men’s brands. The 1,000-square-foot, ground-floor store is designed to bridge the gap between online and offline shopping for these brands.

With a shared appreciation for good design, quality craftsmanship, and attention to detail, the brands comprising Ampersand Collective offer essentials for the modern man’s urban life.

Anchoring the pop-up are Stuart & Lau, NY-based luggage and accessories brand for the man in motion; North & Mark, technically enhanced men’s outerwear brand for the urban commuter; Wolf & Shepherd, collection of dress shoes with sneaker-like comfort and performance; BM Franklin, custom hat shop and modern haberdashery; Fulton & Roark, makers of small batch, high quality grooming products ; The 5th, Australian-based, direct-to-consumer brand offering limited run timepieces and accessories ; Nice Laundry, online sock and underwear startup with a refreshing variety of fun prints, colors, and styles; and TokyoBike, independent bicycle company synonymous for its light and responsive designs.

Absolut Art —purveyors of the next wave of global contemporary artists – will offer exclusive, limited-edition artwork, Troy Yoshimoto’s ceramics, and Element Candles. In addition, consumers will have the chance to test drive the various products at unique trial stations throughout the space.

“I am proud to have brought together some of the best emerging men’s and gear brands together for this short-term residency,” said Matt Stuart, founder of Stuart & Lau. “As mostly digital native brands, this pop-up brings us offline and offers the opportunity to showcase the brands in a physical location. We are thrilled to bring this mix of unique products to a seasonal, IRL experience.”

“North & Mark is thrilled to be in such great company for the Ampersand Collective Pop-Up,” added Steve Cho, founder of North & Mark. “It’s very exciting to have a physical place where people can come to and try products they normally could only get online. Even in the digital age, people still need to touch and feel products before they purchase. The brands participating all have a cool, unique factor that I think will get people excited to come in and see what we’re doing.”