Warrior Workwear and Gifts is relocating to 256 Scott St. now that Tammi’s Flower Garden has moved across the street to a location previously occupied by A Buck or Two and Ocean’s Pet Store.
“Basically, what we’re looking to do is re-define the lines we carry with the new location, and get more walk-through traffic,” said Debbie Kirk, who owns and operates Warrior Workwear—currently located at 533 Mowat Ave.—with her husband, Randy.
“We have some real loyal customers with the nursing uniforms, and our Carharrt line,” said Randy Kirk. “But we want to broaden our customer base.
“We’ve been thinking about moving for a while,” he added. “Smaller or bigger places have come up, but this really is an ideal location.”
“We’re pretty positive it’s a move that will be beneficial,” noted Debbie.
The store, which currently is holding a relocating sale, will be closing at the end of the month but is expected to reopen at the new site by the end of the first week of February.
Randy Kirk noted while he and his wife will be trying to maintain their customer-base, they’re also interested in attracting people who perhaps haven’t shopped at Warrior Workwear and Gifts before.
“We’ve actually been phasing some things out through the year in anticipation of a Wal-Mart coming here,” he remarked. “There’s some things, like boots, that might not be worth carrying if they’re selling it, too.”
But Carhartt—a line that’s become a staple of their retail sales—will be expended as it has become more and more popular in Canada and the United States.
“It’s become more than just workwear,” said Randy Kirk, adding everything from Carhartt jeans and cotton “docker”-style pants to T-shirts and socks will be for sale at the new location.
“It’s comfortable, durable clothing,” said Debbie. “We’ve developed a loyal customer base with that line.”
Back in the late ’90s, for instance, Warrior Workwear was the only one of two independent retailers to sell Carhartt (aside from the chain of Mark’s Work Wearhouse outlets), but now is among 110 in Ontario alone.
Debbie Kirk noted the store also will offer more of the aboriginal giftware she’s been expanding over the years, as well as some other lines she wasn’t yet willing to divulge.
“They’ll just have to come to the new store and see,” she smiled.
While the new location features both a main floor and a lower level, Debbie Kirk said it’s likely only the ground level will be used for retail space for the time being.
Warrior Workwear has been at its current location since June, 2001. It first opened at the current site of the United Native Friendship Centre’s family support program (616 Mowat Ave.)
In related news, Tammi’s Flower Garden reopened its doors at its new location Monday.
Owner Tammi Shoemaker noted Friday that customers will find a fresh stock of plants and flowers—and, of course, giftware—waiting for them.
She added the one-level structure of the store, compared to her previous location, should make it easier for all of her customers to shop there.
The store closed Dec. 30 as merchandise and furnishings were moved and renovations such as carpeting, painting, and flooring were done at the new location.
Tammi’s was located where the new Warrior Workwear store will be for almost 10 years.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
