Fair Leather Friends

Leather Soul returns to Downtown Honolulu

Good news! One of your childhood friends just moved back into town.

Okay, when we say childhood friend, we really mean Leather Soul. But admit it, when the original downtown location closed in 2007 to focus on its growing Waikiki business, you cried. Just a little.

Well, as of 10 this morning, Leather Soul downtown is back and you're going to want to pay it a visit. Its newly-renovated home on Merchant Street is stunning with high ceilings, original crown molding, exposed brick wall, sleek wood built-ins and lush forest green carpet.

Alden Cigar Jumper Boots, available only at Leather Soul downtown. Photo courtesy: Leather Soul.

Then, of course, there are the shoes. Leather Soul downtown carries many of same classic, covetable lines as its Waikiki store – Alden, Quoddy (as seen in our men's gift guide) and Edward Green. But it also features new lines, like Salvatore Ferragamo and Ecco golf shoes, specially for local clientele.

Shirts by Taylor Stitch and Reyn Spooner (middle), all exclusively for Leather Soul.

You'll also want to head over to the back corner to check out the clothes. For the first time ever, Leather Soul is adding apparel to its lineup and, like almost everything else, the styles are designed exclusively for the store.

Think a slim-fitting Reyn Spooner shirt, done in Leather Soul's signature brown and orange with vintage buttons, made exclusively in Hawaii, collared long-sleeved shirts by Taylor Stitch, sharply cut denim by 3Sixteen – all tailored to owner Tom Park's specifications (and trust us, he's got good taste).

Leather totes by Frank Clegg and Ecco golf shoes.

Now that you've hit the basics, feel free to peruse the rest of the shop. Feel the buttery leather briefcases and totes by Frank Clegg or the ultra-durable Rimowa hard case luggage sets. Try on a vintage Rolex, courtesy of Honolulu Time. Sit down in the store's barbershop chair and pamper yourself with Aesop skincare products (Leather Soul has the Hawaii exclusive on this brand).

Don't tell anyone we told you this, but you might also try looking for the secret VIP lounge, cleverly concealed behind the back wall. It's only open to LS Club Members (we weren't even allowed to photograph it, but we can tell you there's top shelf liquor and a flat screen inside). Or you can hang out on one of the store's leather couches, enjoy the Sinatra playing overhead and flip through a copy of Bespoke: The Men's Style of Savile Row.

After all, you've got a lot of catching up to do.

Leather Soul Downtown is located at 119 Merchant St., #100, open Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment only. Paid parking is available in the Harbor Court municipal lot at 55 Merchant St. For more information, call (808) 523-7700, send an email or visit LeatherSoulHawaii.com.