Hardin Phelps Moves to the 1000 Block of Main Street

Moving to Main Street from a 1st Street location (next to the 365 offices), Hardin Phelps, Ltd., not only expanded its retail floor space by 300 square feet, but takes advantage of the visibility the new location offers. “The window exposure is great,” says store co-owner Phil Hopkins of the broad storefront windows of the new space.

His wife and business partner, Paula Hopkins, explained that while they loved the physical space of the 1st Street store, it did not offer the exposure of the Main Street location, both in terms of the window display and the vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Despite the headaches involved with shifting inventory to a new location, she is clearly excited about the potential of the new store. “The move has been fabulous,” she reports.

The restored facade of the building, with its paned windows, does indeed show off Hardin Phelps’ merchandise - a collection of funky, fashion-forward menswear that balances trendy designer labels with updated classics.

Started as a family business two years ago (the Hopkins’ son, Paul, is the store’s manager and primary buyer), Hardin Phelps specializes in upscale menswear with a focus on European and international style. Carrying designer clothing labels and fragrances, many of which are not available anywhere else in the state or even in some larger cities, the store serves a unique niche in the mens clothing market. “There’s nobody that sells what we sell,” explains Paula.

Paula reminds us, “You don’t have to go ‘metro’ to buy metro.” Hardin Phelps’ new Dubuque store joins its Galena location at 110 North Main Street, (112 North Main). Holiday hours for the new Dubuque store are: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The store carries a variety of international brands, from the Italian denim of Diesel and Parasuco to U.K. designer Ben Sherman (a former designer to the Beatles and Rolling Stones), to Japanese label Modern Amusement (home to internationally known designer Mossimo). With other brands like Jade Howe, Penguin, Robert Graham, 191 Unlimited, Caffeine, 4 You, plus unusual T-shirts from all over (like U.K. graffiti artist Banksy), Hardin Phelps carries a unique line, not only for young professional men but for the over-40 man who isn’t ready to settle for his dad’s wardrobe just yet.

While the store avoids buying more than four or six of any particular item (so a customer is not likely to see his shirt on anyone else) Hardin Phelps does carry a range of sizes up to 3X with waist sizes from 28 to 38 inches. Small quantities not only keep the clothing relatively unique, but it allows the store to constantly update its offerings with new merchandise. The unique selection, paired with the individualized service offered by the small staff, offers an upscale boutique experience that some might not expect locally.