Offering timeless essentials for the modern gentleman, Gentlemen’s Corner was founded in Pinehurst, North Carolina, in 1978. Today, the state has three stores (Pinehurst, Wilmington, and Cary) plus one in Florida (Palm Beach). Yet the goal remains the same: to offer a curated selection of classic and contemporary menswear perfect for any occasion.
Co-owners Emily Sasser and Worth Honeycutt believe that “From tailored suits to casual attire, good taste and timeless style never go out of fashion.” Which is why there is no “typical” customer. Emily explains that she and Worth “try to accommodate everyone by providing a number of options ranging in price while maintaining an elevated look.”
At Gentlemen’s Corner, fashion is about more than clothing — it is an expression of character and confidence. For the customer looking to develop his signature style, Emily shares that the process is to “listen to what the customer is trying to accomplish and suggest not only looks that they would typically wear but also push them outside of their comfort zone.” That’s why every piece in the collection is carefully selected to ensure it reflects timeless style and craftsmanship.
With multiple handpicked brands at the Cary store alone, customizable touches like fabric and lining, in-store fittings, and over 40 years of gentlemen’s clothing experience — and from work to play to the most special of occasions — Gentlemen’s Corner has men covered. Every garment purchase comes with tailoring, and accessories from shoes to cologne, socks, and cuff links are also available for purchase in-store.
Emily, whose older brother Harrison opened the Gentlemen’s Corner in Wilmington in 2010, fell in love with the “rag business” through him and has been “following his footsteps in men’s clothing ever since.”
Both she and Worth do the buying for the Cary location, traveling to markets throughout the year to stay on top of the trends and buy correctly for the store. Twice a year, they head to the Chicago Collective — an exhibition and trade show that has become the national show for menswear buyers — to find the best and most relevant brands to bring to our area. The “hottest brands at the moment” include Peter Millar, Johnnie-O, Brax, and Magnanni, Emily says, and staples such as Duck Head, Coppley, and Barbour, among others, are also available.
Despite the timelessness of the Gentlemen’s Corner brand, Emily and Worth are big believers in the role of technology for reaching the modern man. “As much as we pride ourselves on customer service and in-person relationships,” Emily says, “social media plays an integral part of our business.” Instagram, Facebook, and email allow Gentlemen’s Corner to reach customers with inventory and other updates.
They also allow Emily and Worth to keep up with what she describes as their “customers turned friends.” They both enjoy this line of business, Emily continues, “because not only do we love menswear, but we also enjoy getting to know our customers. There is no better feeling than seeing a customer pleased with how they look.”
The Gentlemen’s Corner experience is different than what a customer can hope to achieve in the men’s department of a department store. As Emily explains: “Not only do we have quality brands, but we pride ourselves on customer service and in-person relationships. We pay attention to detail and take care of our customers individually. When working closely with clients, you begin to understand their style and what they are looking for, as well as their sizing.”
Winning the Maggy Award for Best Men’s Clothing Store is something Emily says she and Worth “feel very grateful to win.” They are currently focused on and invested in growing the Cary store, and their hope is that this Gentlemen’s Corner location continues to “dress the community and bring the best men’s clothing to the area!”
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