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Freemans—ground zero for downtown-dwelling urban woodsmen since 2004—opened their west side barber shop and apothecary almost two years ago. Now, their hand-tailored, Brooklyn-made, all-American sportswear has followed suit. Freemans Sporting Club, West Village edition, opened at Bleecker Street and Christopher Street just this past Thursday. Currently stocking Freeman's classic baby-soft broadcloth and chambray shirting, tailored pieces, denim, footwear, and a smattering of accessories, the shop will eventually offer coffee, magazines and books, plus a curated selection of sporting and camping gear and utilitarian dry goods.
Despite the shabby exterior and the lack of a sign (they're working on it), the space is bright and airy, all polished wood floors and unfinished pine shelving with a brick wall/tin ceiling backdrop. Antique benches and chairs are anchored by threadbare Oriental rugs.
Racks and shelves are sparsely filled with the classic Freeman's aesthetic. Super-soft shirting, sleeves perfectly cuffed, are available in a variety of plaids and broadclothes ($148 to $198). Waxed canvas and denim work shirts with brass buttons ($358 to $368), seersucker-looking-but-not-feeling pants ($268), and slim gray jeans ($145) shared shelf space with suede boat shoes in navy blue, ruby red or honey ($286). A variety of perfect leather belts live under glass in the center of the store. Handmade and dyed in Brooklyn, the belts come in tomato red and periwinkle ($120). Signature suiting fills one corner in materials like heavy blue wool, feathery tomato red twill, and gray-on-gray seersucker (jackets start around $900; suits around $1700). As yet, the only apparel we found without a Freemans label was a selection of spring-colored canvas tennis shoes by PF Flyers ($70).
By June, the shop aims to be offering San Franciso's Blue Bottle Coffee from their to-go window, as well as a selection of books and magazines along the front of their cashwrap, and a full selection of outdoor lifestyle items like tents and flashlights.
· Freemans Sporting Club [Official Site]
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