Hubert White, emblematic downtown Minneapolis retailer, to close

Venerable men's clothing store Hubert White, which has operated in downtown Minneapolis for nearly 90 years, will close this summer.

Owner Bob White — the grandson of founder Hubert "Bert" White — announced in a social media post Wednesday that after 50 years running the haberdashery, he would retire and close the Nicollet Mall store Aug. 1.

The closing of the store is another reminder of the challenges facing downtown retailers as they grapple with a smaller population of office workers after the pandemic. According to the Minneapolis Downtown Council, downtown buildings are only 65% occupied as of this month.

Sales have been steadily rising at Hubert White, Bob White said, but haven't increased back to 2019 numbers largely because downtown workers haven't fully returned.

"If one is to do this in our industry, it's got to be on this cycle because there's still time to cancel our fall orders," he said.

The store outfitted the wealthy — such as corporate executives, hedge fund managers and Minnesota Twins players — as well as those interested in classic menswear.

Steve Cramer, chief executive of the Downtown Council, called the store closing the end of an era.

"It's certainly a sad thing for downtown and in keeping with larger trends about retail that we're well aware of and trying to address going forward," Cramer said, "but more than anything else, it's gratitude for the relationships they had with customers over the years."

Local retail expert Mich Berthiaume called the closing of Hubert White "devastating."

"They are an institution, and they are one of the few shopping locations that we have in downtown," said Berthiaume, who has curated retail experiences at numerous outlets, including the holiday market at the renovated Dayton's Project across the street.

Having a longtime retailer like Hubert White only added to the richness of the retail experience in downtown, she said. Bob White was a "master at sustaining customers," but as work continued to become more casual, there has naturally been less demand for formal business attire, especially for younger men, Berthiaume said.

Nicollet Mall has slowly lost many of its apparel stores, which have migrated to the North Loop. Nordstrom Rack, also formerly in the IDS Center with Hubert White, closed last year. A block away, Marshalls closed earlier this year. Retail vacancy in the Minneapolis central business district hovers near 40%.

Last week, a group of several city stakeholders, which included White, presented a list of recommendations to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on how to revitalize downtown retail, especially on Nicollet Mall.

"While we are sad to lose Hubert White as a tenant, we have greatly valued our relationship with them over the past 23 years," said Deb Kolar, general manager of the IDS Center, in a statement. "We have seen strong office leasing momentum year-to-date at the IDS Center and expect that as additional companies commit to space here, more foot traffic will return to retail storefronts."

As word spread via social media and emails to the store's customers, Hubert White clients mourned the pending loss.

Frank Morganti III, who began shopping there in 2001, said customers could easily spend $5,000 in a visit and compared the store's clothing lines — such as Canali and Samuelsohn — to Bentleys or Ferraris, in equivalent car terms.

"These are products you would see in New York, Beverly Hills and Chicago, and you could find them in good old Minneapolis/St. Paul," said Morganti, who considers himself a student of menswear and works as a haberdasher at Milbern Clothing Co. in St. Paul.

Customer John Rouleau appreciated the personal touch of sales associates who would advise on the right sizing and styles.

"They didn't chase trends. It was a place where you can go and get things that would last," said Rouleau, who shopped for his job in government relations. "It was always an investment when I shopped there, but it's things I knew I'd have for quite a while."

Hubert White, located on the corner of Nicollet Mall and S. 8th Street, was one of the last longtime retail holdouts on the mall.

"As I reflect back on the past 50 years I have been a part of the Hubert White team, I am humbled and proud of the traditions, the excellence and service that Hubert White has demonstrated since its inception by my grandfather in 1916," White wrote in his announcement.

He continued, "However, the time has come to make this difficult decision to close the doors."

The shop first opened in downtown St. Paul in 1916. In 1936, it opened in Minneapolis near the Radisson hotel. It relocated to the marquee Nicollet Mall location in 2000.

The store's clothing mix evolved with the times, going from mostly business professional early on to adding stylish casual menswear that's become common in many offices and social settings.

White said his decision to close was based on his age and the store's lessened traffic, not crime along Nicollet Mall.

"I think the police and the city have done a tremendous job in turning it around," White said. "I had dinner at Zelo last weekend, and the street seemed terrific and that was not the case a year ago."