By Nicarlyle Hanchard / The Jambar
For streetwear and sneaker lovers alike, Youngstown welcomes Youngstown Kicks to downtown on 23 W. Boardman St.
The store will celebrate its one-year anniversary Nov. 4. Store owner and operator, Andrew Murphy, said business has been steady. Though he manages the store by himself, Murphy said it takes a team.
“I can manage. I’m very grateful to have as many supportive people that I do have,” Murphy said. “It’s not just a one-part project, it’s multiple different levels of very high-stake pain, but it’s doable and I’m very grateful for a good team.”
Murphy said his admiration for sneakers and streetwear began in his childhood.
“It started when I was a young kid. I would go to Kohl’s with my dad. We’d get one pair of shoes a year and from there it kind of turned into an addiction,” Murphy said. “[When] I got into late middle school, early high school years, I saw the dynamic change in sneakers. How different and expressive they were through emotion and materials — it really caught my eye.”
Murphy said he travels the country to find shoes to stock his store.
“I travel across the United States, going from place to place, finding [apparel] that may pertain only to that environment. Traveling could be once a week, every couple weeks or once a month, it just depends,” Murphy said.
The sneakers are also supplied by retailers and people who want to sell or trade their shoes.
“They come from retailers, people who buy them … and want to wear them once or twice or even those who just bought them and want to return them,” Murphy said. “I am an outlet where you can sell your shoes.”
Murphy explained the process for those looking to sell or trade in shoes at his store.
“People can bring in their sneakers, clothing, streetwear — anything that relates to the culture — and we can identify variables that make that product important to the culture,” Murphy said. “From there, if it has a market price, I take that in, establish its worth based on different criteria and they can either get in-store credit or cash.”
For Murphy, Youngstown Kicks is more focused on sneaker culture rather than current trends.
“What differentiates me from other sneaker stores is I’m not selling a trend. I’m here to sell style, whatever that style may be. What makes style important is how well it matches your personality and it’s not just about the shoes, though they contribute a lot to the culture, it’s not everything the culture has to provide,” Murphy said.
Prices for in-store items vary and Murphy believes them to be reasonable.
“Customers vary from in-store to private clientele. Prices range from giveaways, $10 to $20 shoes, all the way up to $600,” Murphy said.
Private clients include individuals in the National Basketball Association and the National Football League, for whom he and his team would source sneakers.
Youngstown Kicks is open from 1–6 p.m, Tuesdays through Saturdays.