Over the last 26 months, Gray went on a tear for the ages, collecting 81 pairs of shoes and boots total, including from such prestige makers as Edward Green, Carmina, Crockett & Jones, and Enzo Bonafé. But his passion, without question, is Alden.

Ealdwine has officially answered downtown Raleigh’s call for upscale men’s clothing and accessories.

Ealdwine’s Gentlemen’s Shop, at 412 S. McDowell St. (just down the block from Poole’s Diner), had its soft opening last Friday and will mark its official debut this Friday (April 5) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that includes hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from 4-5 p.m.

Downtown Raleigh will increase its retail landscape soon with the addition of a locally owned upscale men’s clothing and accessories store.

Entrepreneurs Matt Gray and Jim Pietryka hope to open Ealdwine men’s store by the end of the year at 412 S. McDowell St. in the space next to Port of Raleigh. That’s just down the block from Poole’s Diner.