Canadian performance apparel brand DUER is expanding by opening its first standalone store in Ottawa. Located at 348 Richmond Road, the store aims to bring DUER's unique blend of style, comfort, and functionality to the city’s active and fashion-forward community. Operating hours are 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm Sundays.
Founded by Gary Lenett in Vancouver, DUER has carved out a niche in the fashion industry since its inception in 2015. The brand gained traction through a successful two-year Kickstarter campaign and has rapidly grown. DUER is recognized for its "stretch performance denim," a product line crafted from plants and various recycled materials, putting a fresh twist on traditional jeans.
“After 35 years of designing jeans for some of the best in the business, like Levi’s, Ralph Lauren, and Nordstrom, I was on a personal quest for denim with the stretch and style I needed to get off my bike and walk right into a full day of meetings,”said Gary Lenett, CEO of DUER. “I quickly discovered the market for clothing with performance attributes that still looked great was much bigger than I imagined, and that the possibilities went beyond just denim.”
Expanding its footprint has been a significant part of DUER's strategy to double its retail presence in 2023. New store openings are primarily focused in Canada and the United States. The new DUER location joins a host of brands in Westboro Village, including Lululemon, Saje, MEC, and Ollie Quinn.
Filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes, this upbeat neighborhood is popular with active individuals thanks to its parks, bike paths, and proximity to the Ottawa River. “I’ve always loved the extensive bike lanes in Ottawa and this is just one of many reasons DUER is a natural fit for this market,” said Lenett.
The 1,700-square-foot store is DUER’s fifth Canadian location. Thanks to an expansive network of wholesale partners like MEC and Holt Renfrew, the brand already has a strong base of loyal fans in the city and its online store. The standalone location allows shoppers to experience the brand’s natural-first ethos. 85% of DUER’s fibers are plant-based, and the company plans to be plastic-fiber-free by 2028.
Visit DUER Ottawa's website for more details about its Ottawa store or to explore its product range.
