Duke & Winston Is Closing Its Center City Doors

Owner Seun and store mascot Duke the bulldog. | Image courtesy Duke & Winston.

Sad news on the retail scene: Philly lifestyle brand Duke & Winston is shuttering its Rittenhouse flagship store at the end of the month. After getting its start in a small NoLibs studio, the company lasted two years in its prominent – and spacious – Chestnut Street location, outside of which you’d often find the brand’s mascot, English bulldog Duke, lounging.

In an email, owner Seun Olubodun cited “an up & down 2015 and a coming rent increase” as reasons for the closure. But the popular local brand isn’t going away completely. Operations are moving back to Northern Liberties, where they’ll be focusing on growing their fledgling online business. The company also plans to host pop-up shops in various cities across the country. 

For now, though, visit the boutique for huge discounts on non-D&W brands, including American Trench, Knot Clothing and Smathers & Branson, plus deals on fixtures and antiques. The sale lasts until January 27th. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next tenant is a retailer with the same great aesthetic as Duke & Winston – and maybe a cute bulldog, too.

The Details: 1822 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.