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Tradition Restored As Smith’s Men’s Store Reopens November 23 in Lake Forest

November 21, 2019 By Ann Marie Scheidler Leave a Comment

Like most things in life, timing is everything. And no one seems to know this better than Trey Gonzales [shown in photo above] and Kip Helverson, the new co-owners of Smith’s Men’s Store in Lake Forest.

“The Chamber [Lake Forest-Lake Bluff] announced that we were reopening Smith’s Men’s Store just as stories were circulating about other businesses in town that were closing,” Trey says. “I think our news gave people hope that local retail can be strong again.”

Trey and Kip moved to Lake Forest in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the community. It was actually Kip who had the dream to open a store in town.

“We talked about what we could do and heard that Smith’s was for sale,” says Trey. “We heard from a number of our friends that Lake Forest needed Smith’s.”

So Trey and Kip got to work, beginning with a total restoration of the store itself. “My design inspiration for the space was a classic navy-blue blazer and khakis,” says Gonzales, who left his job managing a custom-lighting showroom at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. “We want the space to feel familiar but fresh. We’ll be hanging pictures that show the store’s history and John Tadel [the previous owner] will be helping us for the next several months.”

Trey and Kip will maintain many of Smith’s beloved clothing brands, while introducing new men’s accessories, gift items, and apothecary products. Featured brands include Vineyard Vines, Barbour, Southern Tide, johnnie-O, Peter Millar, as well as a line of denim and workout wear designed specifically for men. The store also will continue to offer formal-wear rentals and a plentiful supply of black bow ties for special events.

“We had our first tuxedo rental for Fortnightly today,” says Trey of the high school dance that takes place locally over Thanksgiving break. “We had a worried mom with holiday plans that were making renting a tux for her son difficult. We didn’t even have our register working yet when she came bu, but we got her son all squared away so that his tux is waiting for him the day of his dance.”

Trey, who will be the face of Smith’s Men’s Store and manage the daily operations as Kip continues to work full-time in software technology, is excited to point out the special runs Vineyard Vines and Southern Tide did specifically for Smith’s shoppers. “We want every customer to feel like we’ve been waiting for them to walk through our door all day,” he says. “It’s all of the little things that we will do–our service–that will set us apart from the Internet shopping they can do.”

Located in its longtime storefront at 770 N. Western Avenue in downtown Lake Forest, Smith’s is poised to give customers many reasons to shop in town rather than online. It will offer custom suiting and tailoring and special ordering with a quick turnaround time when an item is not in stock. Smith’s also is embracing new technology–a new inventory system and a recently launched website, smithsmensstore.com. Additionally, they will host events benefiting non-profit organizations.

Trey and Kip are members of The Church of the Holy Spirit, and Trey is on the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation Board of Directors and Gorton Community Center’s Arts & Culture Council.

“Most of our fashion inspiration comes from classic movies,” Trey says. “My years in the interior design industry have trained my eye to appreciate texture, color, fit, and quality.”

The Smith’s Men’s Store grand reopening will begin with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 23; the store will be open that day until 6 p.m. Smith’s is located at 770 N. Western Avenue, Lake Forest. Call 847-234-5866 (longtime Smith’s landline number) or visit smithsmensstore.com for more information.

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Hello Friends!

My name is Ann Marie Scheidler and I'm thrilled you've decided to check out my blog. I'm a pearl-loving yogi with a thing for travel, a weakness for beautiful bags, and great love for my family. On Ann Marie On The Shore, I hope to share my favorite people, places, and things, as well as the stories of those who inspire me with their kindness and fearlessness. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Read More…

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annmariescheidler

📍chicago’s north shore
🎀 Mom of 5• I’m a lifestyle blogger who features the people who inspire me most.
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Instagram post 2195155426136189266_1206184983 Happy Monday! It has been so much following along and learning what you all like to cook for dinner that I decided to repost the three recipes you told me are your favorites. Click on the link in my bio or visit annmarieontheshore.com for the results. I plan on making all of these this week. How about you? ❤️
Instagram post 2192954731551106715_1206184983 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially in Lake Bluff! 🎄 This Sunday, December 8, the Lake Bluff History Museum is hosting its annual Christmas Home Tour. You will enjoy a special day of fun while collecting ideas for your own holiday decor from homeowners and local designers. Click on the link in my bio or visit annmarieontheshore.com for details and ticket information. The weather forecast for Sunday is great! ☀️ I hope to see you there! 🎄❤️🎄❤️
Instagram post 2192243308562814682_1206184983 I can’t get enough of the darling pop-ups appearing in Market Square this holiday season. Tonight, Lake Forest’s Karen Anderson is hosting a Sip & Shop in her space for Caprice Decadent Bohemian Jewelry (right near Evereve) from 6-8 p.m. Along with bloggers Megan Medica from @neverwithoutnavy, Ellie Ander from @chicago_north_shore_moms , and me 🥰, Karen is showcasing her elegant and accessible line of jewelry. And, she’s sharing the spotlight with another Lake Forest mom and entrepreneur @simply_may_ who will offer her own fashion designs, skincare line, and handmade blankets. There is a gift for everyone on your list! Please stop by and see us tonight. And if you donate a toy for Karen’s charity @c2cchicago , you’ll receive 10% off your purchase. Click on the link in my bio for more details or visit annmarieontheshore.com. 🎄🥂❤️
Instagram post 2190171977562333127_1206184983 I’m not sure about you today, but I feel I’ve been hit by a holiday bus. With one foot in Thanksgiving clean up and the other in Christmas set up, I need to make the rest of my to-dos for the week as easy as possible...starting with what’s for dinner. Tonight is a recipe from one of my favorite bloggers @lizadams for her Turkey Sausage and White Bean Soup. For the full recipe, click on the link in my bio or visit annmarieontheshore.com. Enjoy! ❤️
Instagram post 2182302393979260356_1206184983 As part of my A Shore Thing series, I talked with Trey Gonzales, co-owner of the revitalized @smithsmensstore that is opening this Saturday, November 23. Trey and his partner Kip Helverson fell in love with Lake Forest and wanted to start a business here. How lucky are we that they are restoring the legacy of Smith’s Men’s Store! To learn more about their plans for this iconic menswear establishment, click on the link in my bio or visit annmarieontheshore.com. ❤️ P.S. I’m especially excited about the limited edition Lake Forest @vineyardvines tees that will be for sale this weekend! ❤️Welcome to the neighborhood Trey and Kip! ❤️ #menswear #menstyle #mensfashion #vineyardvines #barbour #johnnieo #southerntide #petermillar #lflbchamber #shoplocal #lakeforest
Instagram post 2181467664266630712_1206184983 So much for trying to be ahead of the game! When we took this picture three weeks ago, the mums were blooming and the pumpkins were popping! But as luck would have it, those things have bitten the dust. Yet on the flip side, sweater weather is here to stay...my favorite season of all. Today on the blog, I share a few local places you can check out for staples that will keep you chic and warm all winter long. (Link in bio or visit annmarieontheshore.com.) ❄️❄️❄️❄️ 📸 @robinsubarphotography 💄 @rabecca_ann 
#ootw #sweaterweather #sweaters #shoplocal
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