D.C. Embraces 'Built To Last' Ethos With VIP Opening Celebration For New Shinola D.C. Flagship Store

14TH STREET -- Washington's famed 14th Street corridor doesn't lack for movers-and-shakers, with neighboring businesses that include many of the city's most popular restaurants and bars.

Still, lucky passers-by yesterday evening to Shinola's shiny new storefront at the intersection of 14th and R Street were treated to some particularly prime people watching.

Wednesday served as the official grand opening date for the Detroit-based leather goods and timepiece retailer's newest flagship location, with the D.C. store serving as the brand's ninth brick-and-mortar outpost.

By now, Shinola's story is fairly well known. Conceived by veteran entrepreneur Tom Kartsotis back in 2011, the company was born out of an initial goal to create American-manufactured watches that rivaled and surpassed the wares of pricier Swiss manufacturers.

Fast forward more than a decade and the upscale brand now builds everything from handcrafted watches to bicycles to footballs to pet accessories, out of its factories within the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

Shinola first embraced the D.C. market in November 2014 with a temporary shop located just across the street from its now permanent storefront.

The sparkling new space used to be a Studebaker showroom and still has the original floors to prove it.

And over a hundred Washington VIPs filled those floors last night, including Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Senator Gary Peters, Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Michigan Congressman John Conyers, Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Obama Foundation Chairman Marty Nesbitt, Florida Congressman Patrick Murphy, White House Social Secretary Deesha Dyer, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Vice Chairman Raul Fernandez, Washington Capitals players Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Braden Holtby, and Nate Schmidt, and Mystics player Kia Vaughn.

Indeed, between Shinola's fairytale "Manufactured In America" roots and the fact that the District's own Revolution Growth is the company's single largest investor, there was an abundance of household names eager to show their support.

"We are extremely excited about the opening of our D.C. flagship space on 14th Street. Given the extensive sense of community in the area and wonderful friends we have made in Washington, we're happy to welcome everyone into Shinola's newest home,” said company President Jacques Panis.

Judging by Wednesday's turnout, the feeling from Washingtonians is certainly mutual.