Kemo Sabe is heading for the East Coast.
The beloved Western wear brand is opening its first pop-up store in New York City this September at 69 Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. This is the brand’s first retail venture on the East Coast after operating out of its flagship store in Aspen since 1990.
“We have a ton of clients that are from New York City, so it’s kind of a win-win for us because it’s the epicenter for fashion and culture and all things amazing,” said Wendy Kunkle, president of Kemo Sabe. “We want to be a part of it. We want everyone to see what Kemo Sabe is about. Not a lot of people come to these mountain towns, so it would be nice for the people in New York City to see what the west is like and really get into this sort of fashion, which we think can be very timeless.”
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The New York City pop-up will resemble Kemo Sabe’s Aspen flagship. The store will offer Kemo Sabe’s signature boots and cowboy hat customization, where customers can decorate their accessories with bespoke buckles, belts, pins and other embellishments. The store will also offer an assortment of jewelry and other leather goods.
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“We want [the New York pop-up] to look exactly like it looks in our flagship in Aspen,” Kunkle said. “When you walk in, it’ll look romantic like it does in Aspen and have the barn wood feel. It’ll have all of our expertise — our girls and guys there showing you exactly what it’s like.”
Kunkle, who alongside her family acquired Kemo Sabe in 2020, said the business has grown since its inception, but that the rise of the Western wear trend has helped bring in new customers.
Kemo Sabe has recently increased its retail footprint with stores in Jackson Hole, Wyo.; Park City, Utah; Round Top, Texas, and Whitefish, Mont., as well as relocated its Vail, Colo., store.
“People were wanting to feel what it’s like to be out in the west,” Kunkle said. “So, when COVID[-19] hit, everyone moved out to either Aspen or Vail or Jackson Hole, so it really boosted their idea of ‘I love the way it feels when I’m out there. I want to bring a piece of this home with me.’”
Kunkle explained a permanent New York City store isn’t currently in the works, but Kemo Sabe is open to it based on the reception to its pop-up.
“We’re really focused on customer service and the experience and making sure that everyone feels like they’ve walked into our home,” she said. “We really spent a lot of time developing our staff so that they understand this is the most important thing to us. We want to make sure these customers are having a hell of a good time, because why wouldn’t you? It’s retail — you’re supposed to be having a good time when you’re shopping.”
Kemo Sabe’s New York City pop-up will be open from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30. It will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.