Grant Blvd founder and CEO, Kimberly McGlonn, outside the new store.

Grant Blvd, the West Philly based Black-owned business centered on sustainability and ethical clothing production, is set to open its new flagship store this spring at 140 S. 34th St., according to a recent announcement by Penn’s Division of Facilities & Real Estate Services.

Kimberly McGlonn, Ph.D., the founder and CEO of Grant Blvd, plans to expand upon her current success by taking designs in a new direction, and elevating the shopping experience for consumers with the opening of the new flagship store in University City.

Grant Blvd is the first Black-owned B Corp in the fashion space in North America, and a manufacturing start-up. In addition to reducing waste before and after production through sustainably focused design, the company works to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of those currently and formerly impacted by the criminal system by partnering with local non-profit and government agencies to create living wage employment opportunities.

After having a popular online following since their founding in 2018, Grant Blvd opened its first storefront in 2020 at 3605 Lancaster Avenue. The new planned 800 sq. ft. 34th Street University City location will expand upon the existing brand by providing price transparency on all of their garments.

The University City store will not only include Grant Blvd staples such as zero waste shirting, but also denim produced in the U.S., and a men and women’s work wear line called the “DayPlay” with pieces that can be transitioned from day into evening wear.

Kimberly is an advocate for justice and environmentalism which informs her approach in the fashion industry. She oversees the creative direction and curation of both Grant Blvd and the newly opened Blk Ivy vintage thrift store dedicated to the fashion of the Civil Rights era.

With the ultimate goal of inspiring others to see the power of fashion as and for, activism, she’s been a recipient of Visa’s “She’s Next in Fashion Award” and honored with the Black Enterprise “Business Disruptor of the Year” award. Her work has been featured by Fast Company and Inc Magazine and has been funded by Beyonce’s BeyGood Foundation for Black-owned small businesses.

“I believe that when we demand more, when we think differently about not only what we buy, but who we buy from- we accept an invitation to challenge not only the social issues exacerbated by poverty, but to more meaningfully address the climate catastrophe,” she said. “In that way, Grant Blvd is more than just an apparel brand – it’s a response to what this moment requires of all of us. Our garments are an effortless uniform for folks who are proud of their values and who want to use their garments to show their commitments and their style.”

Watch for highlights and store updates by following @grantblvd on Instagram, @wearegrantblvd on Twitter, and @GrantBlvdClothing on Facebook and by visiting grantblvd.com.