Guys, there's no need to be a closet clone.
Men-tality and Urban Express are two topnotch male boutiques that are sure to cure your fashion-forward blues.
Men-tality
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Stepping into the area's newest male boutique might make you think, ‘Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Rochester anymore.'
A glance at the snow and the sunless sky will bring you back, but at least the prospect of shopping can boost your mood.
Jason Snyder, 27, of Rochester opened the doors of Men-tality in November 2004 to cater to an unfilled market niche — the fashion-conscious male.
“The range of price points enables everyone … to shop at Men-tality,” explains Snyder. “We have $10 T-shirts, $290 jeans and everything in between.”
A key selling point of Men-tality's merchandise is that it can't be found in the mass-market retail scene.
Limited-edition apparel, such as Nike White Label merchandise, is innovatively displayed throughout Men-tality's two-story shop. Grab it while you can — there are only 500 garments produced per style.
For Snyder, it's all about the look and feel. Funky woodwork, a self-serve ‘denim bar' and a pool table that doubles as a display area make Men-tality a pleasure to explore.
“I created a place I'd like to shop at,” explains Snyder. Getting inspiration from stores in New York City, Snyder wanted to create a spot where male shoppers would feel free to browse, watch the plasma TV and linger.
“My No. 1 priority is customer service. Even if they don't buy anything, clients should feel welcome to hang out and be interested in stopping back,” says Snyder.
Uptown Express
Not sure where to shop to snag the latest in formal men's attire? Whether it's a wedding, a banquet or any dress occasion, Uptown Express can hook you up.
Owned by Mark and Joanne Rotonno of Rochester, Uptown Express caters to a fashionable urban ethnic market.
The store offers trendy colors, like orange and pink, for those who want to get noticed. But Uptown Express also has a range of classic, neutral-colored suits, like beige and navy, from a variety of men's apparel labels, including Stacy Adams and Falcone. Prices for suits range from $129 to $199.
If it's shoes you're after, check out the large “shoe wall,” featuring styles from Giorgio Brutini and Stacy Adams.
Uptown Express also carries an array of accessories to complement your suit, such as vibrant ties and patterned hankies.
“It's all about coordination,” explains Mark Rotonno, “everything has to match.”
Twenty-five years in retail has taught Joanne Rotonno a lot of business skills.
When purchasing inventory for the store, her motto is “Don't buy it if you don't like it.
“You have to believe in the products you sell to your customers,” she says.
But just how does she decide which suits to feature each season? If she sees five or six labels marketing the same style at a trade show, it probably will be a safe pick for Uptown Express, she explains.
Of course, Joanne ultimately relies on gut instinct to pick out the Uptown Express product mix.
