Inside New York's Best New Menswear Store: Ven. Space
An interview with Chris Green, owner of Ven. Space
New York City is in the midst of a menswear renaissance.
Whether it be emerging downtown staples like Colbo, Luke’s, Bode, & Son, or at Dover Street Market uptown, even the new Cueva in Greenpoint— there is no shortage of great places to shop new pieces.
But hidden from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, sits one of New York’s best new menswear destinations: Ven. Space located in Carroll Gardens (369 Court Street)
Recently opened by retail veteran Chris Green (formerly Totokaelo, Need Supply Co.) the new store sets a new bar for multi-brand retail destinations: boasting one of New York’s finest selections—
Auralee
Our Legacy
Commes Des Garcons
Studio Nicholson
Salomon
Lemaire
The Row
Lady White Co.
Stoffa
Diemme
Dries Van Noten
I took the G train down from my apartment in Williamsburg to check out the store a few weekends back, and had a nearly out-of-body spiritual experience immersing myself in their vast selection.
The store is expertly decorated: featuring massive Noguchi lamps, terracotta pots, Commes Des Garcons books, and a vintage Dieter Rams designed Braun Atelier record player, creating a calm, lively atmosphere.
Ven. Space’s POV on menswear is incredibly refined, and Chris’ curatorial skill for picking the best from each of these brands is incredibly savvy. As is the intentionality to forgo a web store and focusing solely on providing a best-in-class in-store experience.
Chris and his team were incredibly helpful in selecting a ton of pieces for me to try on and I left with a few (which I’ll reveal later) but I needed to learn more about what went into creating Ven. Space.
So I chatted with Chris about his past in retail, the decision to open Ven. Space, his POV on the brand selection, and a lot more—
An Interview with Chris Green, owner of Ven. Space
JAKE BELL: Can you give me a brief bio on yourself and tell me about your background in the fashion/business world?
CHRIS GREEN: I started at the retail level in 1997 at Blues (pre-Need Supply Co.) in Richmond Virginia. I worked throughout the org at Need Supply until I moved to NYC to work at Club Monaco in 2012, and then Shop Bop/East Dane in 2013 and eventually landing back at Need Supply in 2014, to help open their New York office and operate Totokaelo. I was with NSTO (Need Supply/Totokaelo Group) until it's closure in 2021 as the General Merchandise Manager overseeing the buying and merchandising of Men's, Women's & Homegoods.
JB: What made you decide to open a multi-brand store, specifically in Carroll Gardens? Did you think there was a white space in the NYC mens fashion world?
CG: I live in Carroll Gardens so looking here and in adjacent areas was always super enticing, especially in the beginning when it was just an idea. The dream was to have something super local and close to where I live, and thinking about Soho, it felt too distant and honestly too expensive, I liked the idea of the Upper East Side or Upper West, but again, it felt so distant and I really love my neighborhood. Why not try and open where I am most comfortable, why not try and have a great "destination" shop? When I was thinking about the retail landscape in NYC, I did feel like there was a bit of opportunity in the men's space, especially in Brooklyn. But I didn't feel the need to go huge and try and open in Williamsburg or make a huge splashy statement. I wanted to have a space that was inviting and warm and that offered the brands that I am excited about.
JB: How did past experiences inform your decision making process when crafting the new store? Any lessons learned that you kept in mind?
CG: Working for Need Supply/Totokaleo and doing consulting work for other brands and retailers, definitely informed how I went about opening the store. My main goal was to create a space that felt comfortable to be in (I am here 7 days a week), and also make it a space that feels inviting to the customer. I am really not a fan of retail that feels like a museum. I want people to interact with the product, touch and feel everything so with that in mind, I wanted the space to highlight the product, with that in mind, I kept the build out simple, the colors and textures of the space warm and kept the fixture materials just to wood and brushed aluminum. I really wanted to create a space that wasn't complicated but still distinct.
JB: The selection is simply incredible. Talk to me a bit about the curation of brands and why you chose this lineup.
CG: What I love about boutique retail is the point of view that the shop owner (or buyer) provides. That for me is what I feel like larger retailers or e-tailers are missing. The edit/pov is what makes specialty stores special, and gives you a reason to visit and interact. For me, when dreaming up Ven. Space, it started with the brands that I love and wear. Things that excite me, things that I wear or aspire to wear. That was the baseline. When you come into the store, my goal is for the customer to see how all the different brands interact and how they can all be styled together in a way that works.
JB: What are many retail experiences (in-person or online) missing in your opinion?
CG: I think authenticity is missing. Places are caught up with growth and trying to own larger and larger portions of market share, they tend to lose a bit of soul and what made them special. What I am so optimistic about is that more and more small or localized boutiques are popping up, so it feels like we are having a little bit of a renaissance period the local specialty store.
JB: Would love a little background on the in-house Ven brand (Ven 11231)?
CG: I just wanted to build a baseline of items that could sit with the wide range of brands that I stock. That product is made with Japanese fabrics in a small factory in LA. My goal with Ven 11231 is to have solid building blocks for someone's wardrobe that are considered and made with attention to detail.
JB: What can we expect in the future for Ven. Space?
CG: We will be doing more activations in the coming weeks/months, we have an in store event with Studio Nicholson coming mid October, which will be nice to have Nick Wakeman in town for the event so people can see the collection and meet the brains behind the designs.
My Purchases
I initially went to Ven. Space to pickup this argyle Our Legacy sweater, but ended up walking away with some unexpected items.
I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of black trousers I can throw on everyday. My key needs were—
Comfortable, preferably made of wool.
Belted waist
Baggy and drapes perfectly over shoes
When I told Chris and team this, they brought out a pair of pants from their house line, Ven 11231. I have tried on a ton of baggy black trousers at various price points, and these were by far the best.
Then Chris showed me their Ven 11231 jacket, an espresso brown take on the classic chore coat in a boxy, oversized fit.
The combination of the jacket and pants had me sold and I’ve barely taken either off in the last few weeks.
While there is no shortage of menswear destinations in New York, there always seems to be some drawbacks of each experience. Some stores carry the brand you like but not the specific piece you need.
But what Chris has been able to create with Ven. Space is truly defining, a destination multi-brand boutique that carries everything a discerning shopper could ever want, while employing elevated taste to curate new brands and pieces that can expand ones wardrobe to new places.
Its truly the best place for a guy to get dripped in New York.
Shop Ven. Space—
369 Court street Brooklyn NY 11231.
Mon-Tues by appointment
Wed-Sun 12-6
info@ven.space
Jake Bell is a brand consultant, creative strategist, designer, and writer based in NYC.
He specializes in brand building, content strategy, creative direction, business development, and making things cool.
Want to chat? Email me: jake@jb.studio