Spokane, WA
When snow hit Spokane in December, many early morning sidewalk clearers were probably sporting one of the nation’s most durable and popular workwear apparel brands.
The Downtown Spokane Partnership is pleased to join representatives of Hieber Properties and NAI Black in announcing that nationwide brand, Carhartt, has signed a lease as the anchor tenant in the newly renovated historic Bennett Block. Located on the corner of Main and Howard, Carhartt will occupy prime street-level retail with plans to open in fall of 2016.
As the prestigious Bennett Block was undergoing a full scale renovation and restoration in the spring of 2015, Real Estate brokers Mark McLees and Stephen Pohl were asked to form the NAI Black leasing team. "NAI Black, immediately recognized the property’s ideal location and historic beauty as being worthy of a national brand retailer and went to work. Carhartt, with their iconic durable quality apparel styling was the perfect fit," said Stephen Pohl, Managing Broker.
Known for durability and reliability, Carhartt, Inc., is a U.S.-based clothing company founded in 1889 that focuses on work clothes. Spokane and Carhartt share a similar history, Carhartt originally served railroad workers' need for long-lasting work overalls. Over time, Carhartt clothing items evolved trademark features intended to further extend durability. "When the Carhartt real estate team visited the Bennett Block last summer, they were immediately sold on the historical architectural significance and rich brick interiors that was emblematic of Hamilton Carhartt's first store in 1889." said Dru Hieber, President of Hieber Properties and owner of the Bennett Block.
“Expanding well beyond the railroad industry, today Carhartt is a brand relied upon by the agricultural and construction industry for quality and warmth, and more recently their streetwear label has become a sought after product line for young adults wishing to sport a trendy retro-industrial style,” indicated Mark Richard, President of the Downtown Spokane Partnership. “This broad consumer appeal all but ensure the new downtown retail store will be a favorite destination for shoppers of all ages and interests.”
The brand continues to be a family-owned company, under the supervision of descendants of company founder, Hamilton Carhartt, and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.
The Bennett Block will be the first stand-alone retail location in Spokane for Carhartt, with Seattle being the next closest. "Spokane continues to grow as a significant market to attract the caliber of retailers such as Carhartt to its downtown merchant mix" said Pohl.
"The Bennett Block is very proud to welcome Carhartt, to downtown Spokane, joining its growing list of excellent merchants." said Hieber.
About the Bennett Block
Originally constructed 1890, the two top floors of the Bennett Block were an apartment/hotel while the main floor housed retail establishments. In the 1970s the building was one of the first renovations of an historic building in Spokane. In 2014 the Bennet Block underwent a significant restoration to make room for major tenant such as Carhartt. Current tenants include Rocky Rococo Pizza, Fusion Media, Smith, and local businesses Mizuna Restaurant, lndaba Coffee, Brickwall Photo Gallery, and Poplawski Law. Second level space nears completion in 2016 with common areas that may open up the skywalk to traffic. For information on remaining available lease space in the Bennett Block, please contact Stephen Pohl or Mark McLees at 509.623.1000.
About Downtown Spokane
The DSP is a private, non-profit membership organization that serves as Spokane's central city advocate and service provider, dedicated to enhancing the quality and vitality of Downtown Spokane as the basis for a healthy region.