Banter & Steel, the men’s apparel and lifestyle store on Reid Street in Hamilton, is to transition to an online-only business next month.

Until Saturday, in preparation for the closing of its bricks and mortar location at the end of the month, the shop, co-owned by sisters Kaitlyn Simmons and Lianna Masters, is holding a sale with items offered at discounts ranging from 20 to 75 per cent.

Ms Simmons said: “The whole store is on sale. Clothing is 50 to 75 per cent off – our summer selection and fall-winter selection is on sale.”

She added that the discounted items, only available in-store, include classics “that will last in your closet for years to come, and you will get it for amazing prices right now.”

The boutique opened in April 2019, almost a year before the Covid-19 pandemic began to affect the island.

Ms Simmons said: “It was going really well. We were getting good traction and good feedback that we had filled a gap on the island for mature men’s clothing.

“It was going really well for a new business. Then the pandemic hit and took us for a loop.”

Banter & Steel started selling product online with free next-day delivery on sales over $75 as well as offering kerbside pick-up.

The online option proved to be popular and that, together with the shop’s lease coming to an end, as well as Covid, prompted the move to a permanent online presence.

Ms Simmons said: “The website did take off and so we’ve decided to move with the times – people are shopping online more now. It was the right move for us to make right now.”

She said the new website, powered by Shopify, would be operational during the first week of April and feature the new spring-summer selection.

Ms Simmons said Banter & Steel would receive additional orders throughout the summer to freshen up its inventory.

She added: “Banter & Steel is not closed – it is not coming to an end – we are just moving online.

“We are still going to bring the same great brands, quality products and unique pieces that we’ve curated just for you.”

Banter & Steel, which is across from Music Box at 51 Reid Street, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm.

shop@banterandsteel.com

www.banterandsteel.com