Work ‘N Gear

Work 'N Gear is a specialty retailer and ecommerce operator focused on practical workwear, uniforms, footwear, and related gear for people who wear a uniform to work. Its core customers include healthcare workers, skilled trades, industrial employees, and other professionals who need durable, job‑ready apparel rather than casual fashion. The chain sells scrubs, medical apparel, high‑visibility outerwear, safety footwear, and accessories, combining well‑known national brands with private‑label product through its stores and its website, WorknGear.com. The assortment is built around necessity categories that drive frequent, repeat purchases as workers replace or upgrade their gear over time.

The company’s history traces back to a legacy workwear concept that was part of the Kmart portfolio. After Kmart’s bankruptcy, apparel executive Anthony DiPaolo acquired the business in the early 2000s and rebuilt it under the Work 'N Gear name. From that point, the brand shifted into more convenient locations for everyday workers, including strip and power centers, in‑hospital and near‑hospital sites, and a more capable ecommerce platform that could serve healthcare and trades customers across a wider geography. Over the years, this strategy produced a regional brick‑and‑mortar footprint concentrated in the Northeast and Mid‑Atlantic, with additional stores in selected Midwestern markets, supported by national shipping from its online business.

A notable milestone in Work 'N Gear’s evolution has been its move into B2B and institutional programs. In addition to serving individual shoppers in stores and online, the company supplies uniforms and workwear to employers and health systems that standardize apparel for their staff. That side of the business builds on long‑standing vendor relationships and a broad inventory mix, and it positions Work 'N Gear as both a consumer retailer and a partner for organizations that need consistent, large‑scale uniform solutions.

As of December 2025, Work 'N Gear continues to operate as an independent company with an active retail and ecommerce presence, but public information suggests a smaller store base than in prior decades. Recent references in maps, directories, and reviews point to a pattern of legacy store closures in certain malls and older power centers, while other locations remain in operation. The current footprint is still oriented toward urban and suburban employment hubs, especially near hospitals, distribution facilities, and industrial corridors where uniformed workers create steady demand. Exact store count is not disclosed in current public sources.

Over roughly the last five years, the brand’s visible activity has centered more on operating its existing stores, serving institutional accounts, and maintaining its ecommerce channel than on announcing large waves of new openings. Its presence today appears more selective and regionally focused than during its peak years, with fewer public signals of aggressive multi‑market expansion. At the same time, the mix of formats that remain active, including inline stores and hospital‑adjacent units, continues to reflect its role as a utilitarian, service‑oriented soft‑goods tenant.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Work 'N Gear represents a necessity‑based retailer whose traffic is tied to local employment rather than fashion cycles. Its stores historically favor sites that are easy for shift workers to reach, with good visibility to daily commuters and practical space that can handle apparel and footwear inventory. Co‑tenancy often aligns with value‑oriented retailers, medical uses, and trade‑oriented corridors, making the brand a fit for centers that serve working professionals and nearby employment nodes.