Henry Singer, the iconic Edmonton-based menswear retailer, continues to celebrate a successful first year at its new downtown flagship location in Stantec Tower, nestled in the heart of the ICE District.
Since relocating from Manulife Place, the store has not only maintained its loyal clientele but also attracted an influx of new customers, thanks to its high-visibility spot near Rogers Place.
The move has proved to be a strategic success, as Henry Singer has expanded beyond upscale fashion to become a lifestyle destination. The store now features Bar Henry, an Italian-style cocktail bar, Parlour Barba, a full-service barbershop, and Shoeshine Shack, offering shoe care and repair services. This blend of fashion, grooming, and social spaces has made the store a popular stop for both locals and visitors, especially those staying at nearby hotels like the JW Marriott.
President Jordan Singer said the store, which opened December 2024, has been doing well.
“We’re really happy with things. You know, I always personally say that it takes two years in any new location to truly know where you’re at. But, you know, if the first year is any sign we’re well ahead of expectations,” said Singer.
“I’m really pleased with the decision to move and getting open there. Just a lot of exposure. It’s a high visibility corner. The ICE district is the new heart of downtown Edmonton without question. We can feel the energy of all the events that happen there, obviously, including the Edmonton Oilers playing, but all the other events as well. Rogers Place is constantly going with different events and stuff going on.”
The previous store location was only a few blocks away and the retailer was there for more than 20 years.
“We’re lucky to have very loyal customers and so a lot of our customers have followed us over to the new location and that’s been huge for us. And we love seeing that, but we’ve also seen new customers and that’s part of the reason we wanted to make the move to attract attention, kind of raise our profile in the marketplace. And also it has helped to generate some new footfall for sure. We’re seeing new faces every day.
“We’re also seeing a little bit more new faces that work in the ICE district and/or in different buildings that have shifted over. But also new people that have never seen Henry Singer at all. And so some of them might be tourists coming in, staying at the JW for events, but also new locals as well. So it’s been a nice blend of, of just newness and fresh energy.”
Like almost every downtown Canadian city, Edmonton in recent years has had to deal with issues of safety in the downtown core as well as homeless people hanging out on the streets where businesses operate.
“I think everyone in downtown Edmonton has that issue in one way or another. I would say the ICE district is the best part of downtown Edmonton in relation to that. That said we still have to be vigilant and I think the city is making efforts to do more to even clean up all of downtown, but specifically ICE district as well. And ICE district is the nicest and newest part of downtown without a question. For us, it’s a big improvement.
“We still feel like the new flagship is new. I mean, we’re only one year into it. We always like to see two full years to truly understand where we’re at. We still consider it new. We’ve been through the cycle once. Now we’re going to go back through it again and refine it a little bit. We know what the cycle looks like and we’ll refine it.
“It’s all new to us still, the location, our entirely new concept, we’re actually a lifestyle destination. We’re not simply a clothier anymore. Obviously we offer all of our wonderful matrix of products and brands and items. But we also have Bar Henry, which is an Italian style cocktail bar, as well as Parlour Barba, which is a full service barbershop. As well as Shoeshine Shack who does all the care and repair work.”
Related Retail Insider stories:
- Henry Singer Unveils Downtown Edmonton Flagship Store at the ICE District, Featuring a Bar, Barber and Shoe Shine [Photos/Interview]
- Henry Singer to Relocate Downtown Edmonton Flagship Store to the ICE District [Interview]
Amidst so much downcast news and turmoil in the retail world, this is a refreshing, optimistic report. Henry Singer, a stylish, prestigious haberdashery made a bet on a struggling downtown district, decided to stay when others closed or left for the suburbs, and came out ahead. It speaks to their quality that their customers stayed with them and new ones were attracted. If the store’s formula could be bottled, cities and business people across the country would buy it.
Well said Mr Hicks. And agreed. A refreshing article.
– Robert
Winnipeg MB
When you have wonderful service through the years it pays off. I do live here in Vancouver but I had the opportunity to visit their Calgary location and was very impressed with the service. They have a terrific selection of men’s wear hospitable staff that actually Know what they were talking about. The fact they have a barber shop and shoe shine will only add to there customer base great to here