Third-generation owner Alan Gibeley has transformed his grandfather’s hat shop into one of the most celebrated menswear destinations in America—without losing the soul of what makes it special
WALK into Giblees on Route 114 in Danvers, and you might see a plumber fresh off a job site standing next to a tech CEO, both browsing the same rack of Italian suits. You might catch the aroma of espresso from the cappuccino bar, or hear the click of pool balls during one of the store’s legendary Casino Night events. What you definitely won’t feel is that suffocating, intimidating atmosphere that too often accompanies luxury retail.
That’s entirely by design.
“We don’t want it to be stuffy,” says Alan Gibeley, the third-generation owner of the 11,000-square-foot menswear destination that’s become something of a North Shore institution. “We welcome everyone—you can come in in your ripped jeans and your work boots, from whatever project you might be building.”
It’s an approach that has earned Gibeley and his team national recognition. Last year, MR Magazine—the industry’s leading publication—named Giblees Specialty Men’s Retailer of the Year for North America, placing the Danvers store in the same conversation as legendary retailers like Mitchell’s in Greenwich and Mario’s in Seattle.
“To be associated with stores like that, some of the greatest stores in the country, and to be honored with that award last year was definitely a huge honor,” Gibeley reflects. “But also just to take this business to where it’s at in the last 15 years is a massive accomplishment.”
That accomplishment is even more impressive when you consider the landscape Gibeley has navigated. Coming out of the 2009-2010 financial crisis, when retailers across the country were either teetering on the brink or closing their doors entirely, Giblees didn’t just survive—it thrived.
A Different Kind of Luxury
The secret to that success lies in understanding something fundamental about the North Shore: it’s not a monolith.
“It’s a very diverse clientele,” Gibeley explains. “Some of our guys come right off their projects, who are very involved in their commercial or residential building. And then we have the plumbers that own, started small plumbing companies that now have sold off to bigger companies and have reaped the benefits of years of hard work and being on the job every day. And then we have the CEOs who went to some of the best schools around Boston and became tech leaders.”
This diversity extends beyond professions. “They have different religious backgrounds, they have different political thoughts. And it really is amazing how diverse our clientele is,” he continues. “The one thing they all have in common is they look for quality and service and relationships. Their wealth comes from different means.”
It’s the kind of democratic approach to luxury that defines the Giblees philosophy. The store carries everything from world-renowned Italian brands like Isaia, Canali, and Brioni to more accessible opening price points designed for younger professionals just starting their careers or families managing multiple priorities.
“We keep it moderate to the top end, and we hope that the moderate guys aspire to be able to buy the top end someday,” Gibeley says. “And many over the years—I’m 57 now, so I’ve seen this many times now—from the young executive who makes it, who grows through the ranks and now buys the best that we have to offer. And he was treated the same when he first walked in as he is today.”
That last point is crucial. At Giblees, there’s a strict policy that permeates every interaction: “We never judge a book by its cover,” Gibeley emphasizes. “My entire team treats everyone the same, whether you’re spending $100,000 at Giblees or $200.”
More Than a Store: A Community Hub
Step inside the recently renovated space, and it becomes clear that Giblees isn’t trying to replicate the typical luxury retail experience. The 11,000 square feet—designed by client Meryl Thompson and a friend of the general manager who helped design Boston hotspots like Prima and Capo—strikes a balance between modern sophistication and approachable warmth.
There’s that cappuccino bar, of course. And the pool table with its custom cover, which serves as both a gathering spot and a display surface for special events. The store regularly hosts experiences that feel more like parties than sales events: Casino Nights where customers can try to double their gift card value at gaming tables, appearances by local sports figures and TV personalities, bourbon tastings from craft distilleries, and even golf simulator competitions.
“We brought in a golf net and had people hit into the simulator,” Gibeley recalls with enthusiasm. “We had longest drive contests. It’s upbeat and fun. We bring in a catering company that brings food and apps and open bars sometimes. And that’s the kind of vibe. It’s happy, it’s fun.”
The music is always playing. The atmosphere is always welcoming. And the message is clear: this is your place.
“It’s kind of like a club, like a men’s club,” Gibeley says, though he’s quick to note that the store has expanded to include women’s wear in recent years. “It’s a relationship-built company. 80% of our revenues come from 20% of our clientele—repeat business.”
That community focus extends well beyond the walls of the store. Giblees is deeply involved in supporting clients’ charitable endeavors, benefits, and community initiatives. “We always give back to our clients and community,” Gibeley notes.
The Tailoring Difference
In an era when most retailers outsource alterations or treat tailoring as an afterthought, Giblees has made it central to their identity. The store employs a full tailor shop. This isn’t just about shortening pants or taking in a jacket. This is about understanding that style is personal and that different customers have radically different needs.
“We understand the way some guys want their pants tight to the ankle and showing sock,” Gibeley explains. “And other men want a break with a cuff, from the big traditional executive who’s in finance that wants to wear his pants differently than a young guy who’s running around selling advertising or maybe going to an event or a restaurant or a bar after work.”
The tailor shop handles everything—and Gibeley means everything. Want pants tapered to mid-calf length? Done. Need a shirt shortened to hit right at the waist? No problem. Looking for a pink suit with black pipe stitching? They’ll figure it out.
“We don’t ever say no,” Gibeley states firmly. “Can we get this suit tomorrow? Can we get this to ship to California by the end of the week? We find a way. We will get it done for you.”
A Name and a Legacy
There’s a curiosity that often comes up about the store: the family name is Gibeley, so why is the store called Giblees?
“The family name is G-I-B-E-L-E-Y,” Gibeley explains. “It was changed from Gibeley to Giblees years ago by my grandfather. I don’t know the true reason why. I’ve heard different stories.”
One theory involves pronunciation, making it easier for the public to say. Another possibility: “My grandfather was Jewish, Gibeley is a Jewish name; he may have changed for anti-semitism reasons at that time… I’m not sure.”
What Gibeley does know is that he made his own mark on the name in the third generation: he removed the apostrophe. The reason? Pure practicality in the digital age.
“It’s a lot easier for internet searches and for many reasons,” he says with a laugh. “Imagine G-I-B-L-E-E-S-apostrophe-S. And do we put the apostrophe in? That was years ago, 20 years ago, I said, ‘Dad, no more with the apostrophe. We have to get rid of it.'”
It’s a small detail that speaks to Gibeley’s approach to business: honor the past, but adapt to the present.
The Weight of Tradition
Being a third-generation owner comes with its own particular pressures, especially when you’re one of 13 siblings (he has nine sisters and three brothers).
“I think there’s a responsibility that I have to my family to continue the family business,” Gibeley acknowledges. “Having nine sisters and three brothers, a little bit of weight falls on your shoulders, because I don’t want to be the one to take down this company. I want to be the one who makes it thrive and keeps my entire family proud of the company that my grandfather and their father, our dad, so loved so much.”
It’s a responsibility he takes seriously, but not one he bears alone. His sister Alison works in the store full-time and “loves it.” The entire extended family shows up for events, bringing friends and helping to build the community atmosphere that defines Giblees.
“They all support any events we have,” Gibeley says warmly. “My sisters and brothers will show up and support us always, and invite friends. And it is kind of like a party, really. Our events are a lot of fun. They do it because it’s community, but they also do it because they want to support me and the store.”
Still, Gibeley is careful about the complexities of family business. “Going into business with family is difficult,” he notes candidly. “I’ve seen too many families break up because of business. So I think the only person that would have ownership in this company someday would be a daughter, unless it’s just purchased out, because I just don’t want to risk the great relationship I have with my siblings by getting involved in business with them.”
That daughter he’s referring to? His 21-year-old Hannah, currently a junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
The Next Generation
If Gibeley’s story is about honoring the past while adapting to the future, then Hannah represents the next chapter in that evolution—specifically in women’s wear.
“She’s very interested in expanding the women’s,” Gibeley says, noting that the current women’s selection represents only about 10-15% of the store. “So this is preliminary, a test market right now for Hannah to really come on board and run with it.”
The plan is for Hannah to gain the experience and knowledge she needs over the next five years, then return to take the women’s division “to the next level.”
“She has definitely the ambition and the smarts and the fashion sense to take it to the next level,” Gibeley says with obvious pride. “I hope that Hannah will come on and take our women’s to be what our men’s is, and that will take some time, but as of right now, she’s very interested, and I believe she can do it.”
It’s a transition that excites the broader family as well. While other nieces and nephews might eventually want to join the business—and Gibeley welcomes that interest—he’s careful about setting expectations.
“I think everybody wants to be part of it. And they all are,” he says. “They’re excited for Hannah to join in on the family business, and they’re excited for anybody who will help it thrive.”
A Philosophy of Partnership
Ask Gibeley about the secret to Giblees’ success, and he’ll deflect the credit almost immediately.
“That is due to the great people that I’ve been able to put in place,” he insists. “And that was by listening to my team. When they say, ‘Alan, I think we should go get this person. They’re working over here. She’s awesome. He’s awesome. We need them. I think they’ll be great.’ And me trusting in my team to say, ‘You know what, if you think they’re great, let me talk with them, and let’s run with it. Let’s go.'”
It’s not a top-down hierarchy at Giblees. “It’s not my way or the highway,” Gibeley emphasizes. “We make decisions based on what my team wants as well, and that’s helped us thrive, for sure.”
This philosophy extends to how the team interacts with customers. The store carries luxury Italian outerwear from brands like Herno and Paul & Shark, suits from the world’s most prestigious makers, and unique shirting and leather goods. Yet the focus is never on pushing product—it’s on building relationships and understanding individual needs.
“Everyone is shocked when they come in and see what we have available and what we have to offer,” Gibeley says. “The best way to—I’m always looking to get that word out there somehow. I just hope people realize that there’s a store like this right in their backyard.”
Looking Forward
As Gibeley reflects on where the business stands today, there’s a sense of satisfaction tempered with awareness of the challenges ahead. The 2020s have been relatively smooth sailing, but he knows that retail is cyclical.
The key, he believes, is maintaining the fundamentals that have carried Giblees through three generations: quality products, exceptional service, genuine relationships, and a commitment to community.
“We venture the world to bring you the coolest product, and try to be different from the department stores, try to be different from other stores,” Gibeley says. “It’s a multi-generational, family-owned and operated business where quality, relationships, service is the reason you thrive.”
In an age of fast fashion, two-day shipping, and algorithm-driven recommendations, Giblees stands as a reminder that some shopping experiences can’t be replicated online. That the feel of a fabric, the expertise of a trained stylist, the precision of an on-site tailor, and the warmth of genuine human connection still matter.
More than that, Giblees proves that luxury doesn’t have to mean exclusivity. That high-end retail can be approachable. That a store can serve both the plumber building his first business and the CEO running a tech empire—and treat both with equal respect and attention.
“I always try to use our clients. We support our clients in every way,” Gibeley says, summing up a philosophy that’s guided the business through 75 years and three generations. “We’re community driven. We give back to the community quite a bit. We always give back to our clients and community.”
