Carhartt Announces Detroit Store

Carhartt (Dearborn, Mich.) has announced it will open its first Detroit retail location on 5800 Cass Ave. in the city’s Midtown area in late May or early June.

“We have long had a desire and need to open a store in our company's birthplace and what many of us at Carhartt consider our own hometown,” said ceo and chair Mark Valade, the fourth-generation head of the family owned-company.

The 126-year-old maker of rugged jeans, jackets and work apparel historically has sold the vast majority of its products through wholesale outlets, but began establishing Carhartt-owned retail stores about five years ago — and now has 16 such locations nationwide, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Carhartt has experienced strong growth recently, adding 1300 workers in the past three years. Part of the growth has come from a rebound in construction and manufacturing activity, but a big factor has also been adoption by urban hipsters.