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Uptown Style in Downtown Topeka

How One Man Turned His Passion for Fashion into a Thriving Business 

If you’re a fan of fine clothing, there’s a shop in downtown Topeka that will knock your designer socks off! The Distingue' Gentleman at 117 SW 6th Avenue is not what you’d expect to find smack dab in the middle of the Midwest. But take one step inside and you’ll  feel as though you’ve been transported to downtown New York or Chicago. 

Owner Theodis Williams has always had a strong fashion sense. Owning a men’s clothing store had been a dream of his since the 70s, but it took until 2016 to make that dream a reality. “Back in 2016, I told my wife Lenora that I really wanted to open a men’s fashion store,“ Williams said. “She told me, ‘You can talk about it, or you can be about it,’ and something in my spirit just exploded.” In March of 2016, he opened The Distingue' Gentleman. 

He started with 12 suits that he “timidly” purchased based on his appetite for fashion. Those suits sold out in the first week and the rest is history. Now he carries a wide array of apparel including designer suits and jackets, shirts, socks, ties, hats, and exotic shoes. He even carries some women’s fashions including designer purses.

Distingue' is French for distinguished. “The name was my wife’s idea,” Williams shared. “She said, ‘When I look at you, I see a distingue' gentleman.’ I told her I would have to pray about it and then, the next day, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was perfect.”  

Indeed it is. The name is as upscale and unique as the merchandise they carry. From Bruno Capelo, Dobbs, and Stetson hats to Mauri and Belvedere shoes, they’ve got men’s fashion needs covered literally from head to toe. Twice a year Williams goes to market and restocks his store with the latest looks from New York, Las Vegas, California, Atlanta, and Florida. 

The fashions are amazing, but what really sets this shop apart from the competition are the low prices. “We have original designer items without the designer prices,” Williams boasted. He said he loves being in downtown Topeka and credits some of his success to his location. “My prices are cheaper because I don’t have the expensive overhead of property out on Wanamaker.” 

Williams remembers, wistfully, being in the military in the 70s and driving to downtown Topeka on leave. “When everything moved west, it really affected the city,” he said. He is happy to see the Topeka Chamber of Commerce and Go Topeka pushing incentives and programs to promote and revitalize the downtown area. “I’d like to stay in downtown Topeka,” Williams stated. “It’s good for the local economy and I’ve built some great relationships with my customers. The currency that makes it all work is strong relationships.” 

Lucky for us, Topeka suits him perfectly.

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