Ken Thwaits has created a one stop shop for the men of Franklin. Named for the gateway between Nashville and Franklin, Franklin Road Apparel Company is a menswear boutique offering everything from well-made denim and flannels to shaving supplies and sunglasses.
“Franklin Road Apparel Company is just an idea I had,” said Ken Thwaits, owner of Franklin Road Apparel. “It just seemed like there was a need for it here in Franklin. I wanted to be able to offer everything that a guy needs in casual men’s wear – I hope that guys come in here and think of it as their own personal man cave. I want them to browse, sit down and stay a while.”
With roots in the automotive business, Ken had no previous retail experience before imagining Franklin Road Apparel, and yet you’d never know it. The Main Street shop is perfectly curated, with that charming blend of old and new that Franklin is known for. Ken has refurbished several elements of the original volunteer fire department hall, including a refurbished radio tower, which now serves as a light fixture and the firefighter cubbies, which now hold precisely folded denim and stylish knick-knacks for the everyman.
As a resident of Williamson Co., Ken notes that the community of Franklin is what makes it so special. “The atmosphere on Main Street – the atmosphere definitely lended that cool vibe that I was looking for and wanted to be a part of. When you walk in the store, I think you get that sense. What I really like is, even though we’re new, we’ve been getting referrals from other businesses. Just the other day, a Main Street business sent a customer down here looking for a belt, which they didn’t carry. I made it a point to go up there and thank them for thinking of us and sending us a customer. That’s kind of how it all has to work here. We’re all on the same team.”
For Ken, Franklin Road Apparel Company isn’t work. He loves what he does, and as the buyer of every piece of clothing and every accessory in the store, he believes in each item. Ken is building a community for the men of Franklin, complete with high quality goods and even a long wooden bar, which he hopes will one day serve craft beer.
Franklin Road Apparel is located at 508 W Main St. and open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. To learn more about Franklin Road and to shop online, please visit www.franklinroad.com.