Skip to main content

Shop Class: A.K. Rikk’s

Ok, Ok, we know Grand Rapids is a decent sized city. We know it’s where Anthony Keidis, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Gerald Ford were born. But we had zero idea that it’s where A.K. Rikk’s, one of the flossiest menswear stores in America is located. Guys, we aren’t kidding. This place is no joke.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

A.K. Rikk’s began as a menswear store in October of 1987 with 2,500 square feet. It was well known for bringing niche European brands to the Mid West and being quite successful at it. 25 years later in 2012 they built a brand new building and expanded into womenswear and art as well as furniture (this is Furniture City after all). There is also an event space and a 25,000 square foot park behind the building. Yeah, these guys know how to throw a great party. As their President Jim Murray explained to us, “We know who we are but we are not afraid to change or adapt to connect with our consumer.”

We spoke to Jim to hear more about their ‘fashion campus’ in Grand Rapids.

Where did the name come from?

The story is that A’s and K’s were the strongest letters visually in the alphabet.  So Rick was changed to Rikk and A.K. were the initials of the first buyer Rick had working for him here. Her name was Annie. The best part is having a company starting with ‘A.’ puts us at the top of every list!

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Are there other stores that inspire you guys?

Yes!

-Collette in Paris because of their exceptional curation. We love the idea of mixing clothing, design, furniture etc.

-Bergdorf Goodman in New York is a one store operation and they pride themselves in making the single store a great store, the best.  We could have been three small stores with the money spent on this is one big store but we like the idea of building one experience better than any other.  Don’t get me wrong – we dream about having multiple stores or another outlet for sales but this store is our number one priority. Until we know we can build an equal experience without taking away from this one we will hold off.

-Opening Ceremony because they create an image and are not afraid of who they are. And they have such a diverse group people working for them.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

How have you grown so big in a smaller town (compared to New York and L.A.)?

Well there are a lot of us who care about fashion but we love living here too. We don’t want to move to New York or L.A., so we have created this ‘mecca’. When we started in the 80s we garnered an excellent clientele and now we have that customer plus his wife plus his kids. That is one reason we bring in introductory price ranges like Theory to the mix so a wide range of people can still shop here. Another reason we have done so well is because we literally listened to the customer and grew according to their tastes and it has worked for us. Whoever we are going to be in five years will be customer focused.

We do have a lot of corporations like Herman Miller, Wolverine, Amway and Kellogg, so many of the CEO’s shop here as do their wives, kids and co-workers. We also get people who have been loyal customers and moved to other cities and they miss our service and our brands so they end up continuing to work with us. One of our top ten clients hasn’t been here since 2007 and lives in New Orleans. Let’s say we were Trunk Clubbing before they were around! One of our mottos is, “We want to make people a better version of themselves.” So many stores want you to look like them, and that is not how we operate.

You must buy differently than others around town?

We go to market to buy the best of the best, at many price points.  The retail of a garment, bag or shoe does not deter us from making the purchase for the store.

Screen Shot 2014-08-05 at 5.06.49 PM
Image used with permission by copyright holder

And you have this amazing event space.

Yes, another competitive advantage we celebrate is involving our client in a culture.  We love to party.  We understand we need to meet friends of our clients and the best way to do it is to get people talking about us.  So we throw parties… all the time.  One of which is the annual Runway for Charity event every spring.  We raised just under $300K this year and that brings our total in two years to a half a million raised for the local Children’s hospital.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is next?

A lot.

On September 19-20 we will be hosting a tailoring event with Strong Suit and it just happens that ArtPrize is going on at the same time so we are hoping they will be in the mix too.

We have many vendors like Eton, To Boot and others that have become an essential for our clients over the years so we are bringing them all in on one day for a massive trunk show on Oct. 7th.  We are excited and details of the event will follow soon.

Our dream trunk show that we have been trying to coordinate for a while is a trunk show with Isaia on the balcony of their showroom.  The collaboration would be with Herman Miller but the invitation would extend to our best Isaia consumers over the past few years.  It will be a chance to say thank you and also an opportunity to think differently about how we approach our business and connect with our consumers!

 All photos courtesy of Brad Gillette.

Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Swatch, Tate partner for watch collection that literally puts art on your wrist
Swatch x Tate Gallery collaboration inspired by paintings
Swatch x Tate collaboration watches

Swatch, renowned for its quirky designs and commitment to self-expression, has joined forces with the prestigious Tate galleries to create an extraordinary collection of Swatch watches that blur the lines between art and utility. The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection isn't simply a collaboration but a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the appeal of wearable art.

Each Swatch watch is dedicated to the artwork of its respective artist. From Turner's Scarlet Sunset to Bourgeois's Spirals, every watch tells a unique story. Whether you're drawn to the whimsical charm of Marc Chagall or the bold simplicity of Fernand Léger, there's a watch in this collection to suit every taste and personality. This partnership further cements Swatch's position as a brand that bridges the gap between art and simple timekeeping with bold designs and vibrant colors.
The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection: Wearable art

Read more
78 pairs of Gucci sneakers just had their prices slashed
A man wearing the Ace tennis sneakers.

The spring and summer months are the perfect time to upgrade your sneaker collection. With fresh styles and lightweight materials, sneakers are the best shoes for the warmer months for everyday wear, traveling or simply hanging out at a bar. Sneakers are now more popular than ever with men wearing them in both casual and formal situations. Here is a definitive guide to wearing a suit with sneakers if you want to combine a luxury look with a fresh new pair of kicks.

Right now, you can shop more than 70 pairs of Gucci sneakers on sale at Gilt. You can get up to $275 dollars off casual and fashion sneakers from this coveted brand in a mix of colors, styles and materials. Click the button below to start browsing these designer sneakers before time runs out.

Read more
Citizen celebrates 100th anniversary with throwback limited edition pocket watch
Citizen debuts 100th anniversary pocket watch
Citizen 100th anniversary pocket watch

Citizen watches have a legacy that spans a century, with a name that evokes reverence, innovation, and enduring quality. Now, in a momentous celebration of its 100th anniversary, Citizen unveils a breathtaking homage to their inaugural masterpiece: the Special Limited Edition Pocket Watch. That's right, a pocket watch for men. Since the success of Peaky Blinders and peak Thomas Shelby fame, pocket watches have garnered a somewhat cult following and Citizen has jumped on that bandwagon with a celebratory timepiece of their own.
Citizen watches: A brief history

In 1868, Japan underwent a significant transformation as the Edo period concluded, marking the end of samurai dominance. The dawn of the Meiji era saw Japan embrace modernization and industrial growth until 1912. By the 1920s, the widespread adoption of imported pocket watches reflected Japan's burgeoning participation in global trade.

Read more