The first thing one thinks about when they talk about the sneaker culture in Chicago has to be, St. Alfred’s Located at 1531 North Milwaukee Chicago, IL, 60622.
I interviewed Krabby, The runner of the shop, about his opinion on the sneaker world and what St. Alfred’s bringing to Chicago.
“In terms of what were bringing to the sneaker world and Chicago is mainly, attention. Prior to 2005 when St. Alfred’s opened up there was several businesses that were selling sneakers. Some were mom n pop some were chain and some what the more….cool feel? Like PHLI or Leaders . But really where I would shop would be anywhere where they had sneakers. But with St. Alfred’s in 05 we kind of brought attention to Chicago and with attention comes possibility”
Most people already know about several collaborations that St. Alfred’s done like the Bittersweet x St. Alfred‘s x GDFT Woven Tee Or the Stussy X St. Alfred’s “Chicago Tribe” T-Shirt To the New Era Collaboration which has enabled St. Alfred’s to have signature hats.
“Were doing a shoe with Reebok in collaboration that is to release next month. we’ve done a collaboration with HUF already and a few other lines and that’s within 2 years of opening which is pretty unheard of for a store and We couldn’t of done that without our Kicks Hawaii affiliation aka (Kicks/HI). Kicks/Hawaii opened in 2001 and they’ve been doing it for 6 years now so they have good connections which has enabled us to get these lines”
Exclusiveness:
“Most of our lines are unique to St. Alfred’s so you cant get DQM , HUF anywhere else and for a while you couldn’t get crooks and castles but now leaders carries it but its all good. 3rd largest city. There’s enough for everyone out there”
The Kix X Clothes
St. Alfred’s has a big diversity when it comes to shoes. Reebok to Nike to Vans to just about any other brand out there that’s popular in the sneaker world. A lot of the other clothing brands are Visvim, bittersweet, HUF, Lei Low, Stussy , Kicks Hawaii, St Alfred’s brand clothing (of course) , Good Foot, Futura Lab, Rockers NYC and many other clothing lines.
Article: Oscar “Wreckinkickz” Castillo
Pix: Oscar “Wreckinkickz” Castillo
Saint Alfred
1531 N. Milwaukee Chicago IL 60622
PH 773 486 7159
