New menswear shop opens in MoDiv

On Thursday, May 22, the new menswear boutique Jeffrey George opened its doors to patrons. The clothing shop, located in the MoDiv building downtown joins a number of retailers as the newest addition. 

In his effort to eschew "fast fashion" as he refers to it, Jeff Boore designs modern classic menswear with ethical standards that guide his decisions. As sole proprietor, Boore opened his shop with the idea that it could be more than just another clothing shop. He wants to foster a sense of place, he says, where men can feel comfortable shopping for clothing and learning about the finer nuances of sartorial technique. 

"I want to develop a store that guys can go to and feel comfortable with- not just there to meet a salesman who's there to push and sell clothes- but there to learn how to dress," says Boore. "I think a lot of times guys get scared of shopping because they don't don't really know, so they stay away from it altogether."

Boore wants to change that, offering a comfortable atmosphere in a city whose burgeoning identity is gaining confidence at a rapid pace. 

"In some other cities, some other areas, you see some shops where guys can kind of go do that, and learn and actually are exposed a little more. I think Grand Rapids is asking for the same thing," says Boore.

As a student who started his academic career in pre-med because he wanted to help people, Boore changed course- as often is the case with university students- when he realized that "you really can make a positive impact as a business." 

Throughout his years at MSU, Boore worked for J. Crew where he was able to learn the ins and outs of a retail clothier. He graduated with a degree in psychology last year and enough entrepreneurial audacity to tackle his own clothing line. 

Boore designs the clothing and contracts with two American fabric manufacturers whom he has visited personally to ensure that they meet his ethical standards both for safe labor practices and wage compensation. His shirts are made in Fall River, Massachusetts, a city with a deep rooted history in textile manufacturing and a company that has been in garment production since 1876. His ties are made in New York's garment district from a company that has been in operation for about 60 years. Pants are made in Bryooklyn by Hertling. The history attached to the companies he partners with is something Boore finds value in and thinks others do too.

"I think Grand Rapids is really growing to care about where things come from," he says.

A domestic manufacturer and the quality of product that Boore chooses increases the price point. But Boore thinks it's worth it. For example shirts are priced at $118 and pants at $145. 

"I think that's a price that people will adjust too," says Boore.

At 60% less than the cost of other brands using the same manufacturer, the price point is much lower.

"While our prices may be a little higher than, say, the mall, they're definitely lower than anything I would think is comparable," says Boore. 

Boore says that he more interested in collaborating with his neighbors rather than competing. His ideas involve teaming with local businesses to generate proceeds for local charities.