Roots at Natick Mall

Canadian expats, rejoice! Roots just opened its doors in Natick Mall. Not simply a store, this "enhanced experience" store features a cabin-like interior, an on-site leather monogramming shop and jacket customization station, and a relaxation area with great artwork and phone chargers. What is also unique about Roots in Natick is the kids' apparel section, the only one in the US.

You don't have to be Canadian to appreciate the high quality and craftsmanship of the signature apparel, footwear, and leather goods that makes Roots legendary. Though items carry a hefty price-tag (e.g., their signature leather weekend bag, Banff, is $468 in small, before any presonalization), the idea is that the high quality of the materials will make them last forever. The leather is also claimed to age beautifully and acquire a unique look the more it's worn, due to the exclusive finishing technique used by Roots.

Roots was established in 1973 by two friends from Detroit. After spending a summer camping in Ontario's Algonquin Park, they fell in love with the Canadian outdoors and eventually moved to Toronto. Searching of "the better shoe", the duo developed the now iconic negative heel shoe, which hit major success.
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Since its founding, leather goods have been Root's signature items. Exclusive to Roots, the Tribe leather comes from Italy and is hand-buffed at their Toronto-based factory to give it a vintage look: each handcrafted leather bag "still passes through the hands of no less than 40 expert artisans before it reaches yours". 

Roots is also famous for their Salt&Pepper sweats and cabin socks. The brand's motto is that clothes should feel as good as they look. 

It may have found a solution to my eternal struggle of finding gifts for people who already have everything: monographed travel bags and personalized Award jackets!

In this traditional hand-debossing technique, the letters are heated and stamped deeply into the leather, resulting in a distinct monogram that ages beautifully. ​

These photos where taken at the shopping preview event at Roots Natick.
The store opens on June 28, 2018 (ribbon cutting at 11 am). The address for Natick Mall is 1245 Worcester St, Natick.

Have you been to Roots in Natick? Let me know what you think!   ​