3 of the Best Boston Sneaker Stores You Can’t Miss
I was in my own world, striding purposefully toward the object of my affection – Tatte – and its multicoloured array of baked delights. When I was stopped dead in my tracks by the sight of multiple pairs of covetable kicks on the feet of
That I was next to a sneaker store on release or raffle day.
Above the Medicom Be@rbricks in the window – in all its minimalist glory – was the white-on-black logo of Concepts. I’d been a fan of their work for years!
Creatives who are into fashion or design should always try and visit stores like this when travelling.
- For one, you’ll appreciate the insane creativity, branding and marketing done by the brands behind bricks-and-mortar retail stores.
- And despite being at the peak of hype right now, sneaker culture still deals hugely in nostalgia – which is one of the biggest fuels for creativity.
Check out the creative profile for this post at the end.
So, what are the best sneaker stores in Boston?
Concepts, adidas x Concepts, Bodega, and Laced Quality Garment Co.
CONCEPTS (350 BOYLSTON ST, BOSTON)
Concepts first opened in Boston in 1996 as one of the leaders in the streetwear/sneaker scene emerging from 90’s skate culture…along with Tony Hawke’s Pro Skater on PS1.
The brand has since branched out to New York and Dubai, and is well known for its sneaker collaborations and the accompanying special releases which make it synonymous with creativity in sneaker culture.
Needless to say, my inner sneaker-loving-design-nerd freaked the f*** out finally visiting one of their stores in person.
Don’t know what I mean? Peep the buildout of their ‘8-Ball’ ASICS collab popup they did back in 2015 in NYC. Picture an underworld inspired ‘drop’ point, exchange box, and your kicks wrapped like a brick of coke.
Or the World of the Worlds style fervour around their radioactive Nike ‘Blue Lobsters’. Which, if you believe the stories, had people calling the fisheries department.
And the ‘Boston Tea Party’ collab for ASICS Gel-Lyte III 25th Anniversary; which, as you’d expect, featured chests of the sneaker thrown overboard a ship’s hull.
The Boylston St location is temporary while their flagship store is developed, but it still captures Concepts’ signature style. The minimalist fit out features white walls contrasted with black flooring and staircase, pulling your eye to the upper level where designer brands like Alexander McQueen, Versace and D&G await.
But it’s the black, grid-like sneaker wall that catches your attention first, matched by murdered-out clothing racks and shelving which set off the season’s latest apparel.
I got chatting with one of the awesome staff – Jules – excitedly rambling about how stoked I was finally seeing the store. And this absolute legend made my visit a standout moment of the trip.
It’s great to see a brand like Concepts has a solid crew behind their name. The good vibes and absence of bullsh*t sets their retail experience apart…as did the drool-worthy kicks I picked up.
This temporary Concepts location focuses on special limited products, so check it out while it’s still around.
My sacai x Nike LDWaffles are enjoying their new home in Perth very much.
Concepts: http://cncpts.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cncpts/
ADIDAS X CONCEPTS (73 NEWBURY ST, BOSTON)
Just a few minutes walk from Concepts’ temporary location is the co-curated Adidas x Concepts boutique. This collaborative new shop started in 2017, and cements a long partnership between the two outside of Concepts’ work with Adidas’ arch enemies other companies at its main store.
It bucks the now commonplace trend of pop-up shops – once a point of difference for brands like Concepts – with a more permanent retail partnership.
Such a unique idea offers huge scope for creativity, and as usual, Concepts has excelled. Moody tones of rustic red brick, slate grey, and concrete are offset by glass tables running down the centre.
Of the Boston sneaker stores on the list, this shop is more gallery space than sneaker boutique. With all the character of a converted old building such as a church. And with the ethereal glow behind its mirrors, tall arched windows filled with LED video, and colourful prismatic mirror boxes…what’s not to worship?
A tunnel of backlit square arches pull you through the space as if it were James Bond’s garage – you’d expect a wall to open and reveal an Astin Martin, but alas…
This is the perfect spot for showcasing Adidas’ most innovative footwear and apparel lines. So you’ll find long-standing collabs with designers such as Stella McCartney, Raf Simons, and – my personal favourite – Yoji Yamamoto’s Y3 line. As well as ultra popular YEEZY styles and all-time classics like the Stan Smith. The Missoni x Adidas Ultra Boost Clima were a standout for me.
Ultimately, Adidas x Concepts is a beautiful boutique streetwear destination worth a visit for the design features alone. Though it’ll leave you wanting to drop a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ on something for yourself. Or open an art gallery. Or – you know – become 007…
Concepts: http://cncpts.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cncpts/
BODEGA (6 CLEARWAY ST, BOSTON)
One thing is true almost anywhere in the world, the foundation of any community is its corner store / deli / mini mart / co-op / convenience store / off license / combini or – as it’s known in parts of the USA – Bodega.
Boston’s best Bodega has been curating streetwear ‘hidden in plain sight’ since 2006. As one of the most unique Boston sneaker stores on the list, it may also be the city’s worst-kept secret. Plenty of people know about its hidden entrance; even me, at the arse-end of the world in Western Australia.
But from the street, it’s hard to believe it isn’t just a regular Bodega.
A plain brick facade; its windows filled with faded tins and regular household items. And a steel door covered in years of haphazardly thrown up stickers.
Once inside – I am in a streetwear shop right? – it’s business as usual. The tiny mini mart looks as if it opened in the nineties and hasn’t changed since. Layers of paper and scrawled graffiti tags cover any exposed surface, shelves are stacked with the essentials. It’s a dose of nostalgia for sure.
A sign behind the counter reads “Bodega reserves the right to guarantee service to everyone regardless of race, religion, gender, colour, or class. But please, no jerks”
Amen, my friends.
From custom stubby holders (in a vending machine!) to mugs, from Sharpies to dice, Bodega have killed it on the branding. And that’s before you even step foot into the actual boutique.
Behind the secret door, there couldn’t be a starker contrast. If it’s a bodega out front then it’s all brass and mahogony – like Ron Burgandy’s apartment – in the back.
Have no doubt, this is an upscale store selling premium brands. I was stoked to see amazing Japanese labels such as Neighborhood – and their GORGEOUS incense chambers – Cav Empt, Undercover and Y3. As well as iconic skate brands like Half Cab, and of course Bodega’s own range of sneaker collaborations and apparel.
Keeping in line with its theme, the store stocks clever lifestyle goods from other brands as well. My faves included a leather lighter holder from Mister Green and the Aprix palm tree vase.
But it’s the chill, super friendly staff that give this Bodega its community vibes. It’s the corner store for streetwear enthusiasts, your friendly local – no matter where in the world you’re from.
I guess that’s why their sign says ‘Thank you for Copping’.
Bodega: https://bdgastore.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bodega/
BONUS: LACED QUALITY GARMENT CO (569 COLUMBUS AVE)
A list of the best Boston sneaker stores isn’t complete without this bonus shop that I ran out of time to visit during my short trip.
Laced Quality Garment Co. in the historic South End of Boston is a consignment store established in 2006, frequented by hypebeasts looking to spend
But it’s much more than apparel and sneakers. Because Laced also fosters culture by putting on a range of events that merge art, music, fashion, and sports – the cornerstones of streetwear.
Artist in-stores, fashion shows – HipHop yoga anyone?
They’ve created a lifestyle around the brand. And if nothing else, they’re an awesome example of ‘hosting the party’ when it comes to your creative ventures.
Laced: https://lacedboston.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laced
Recap: Best Boston Sneaker Stores
- Concepts
- adidas x Concepts
- Bodega
- BONUS: Laced Quality Garment Co.
Look, I’m not telling you to visit these shops to buy something.
You could just check out the design concept. Or do some window shopping. Or not – I’m not your Mum – but if I was, I would probably tell you that you need that new pair of sneakers…
CREATIVE PROFILE:
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Check This Out if You’re Into:
Fashion / Culture / Interior Design / Graphic Design / Visual Arts / Branding & Marketing
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Worth Travelling For:
Only if you’re going to Boston anyway.
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Takeaways:
Story is king. The resale value of two shoes made exactly the same way, and in the same quantities, is only different because of one factor; story. That’s what people buy into. In sneaker culture as in every creative project. Travel gives us a chance to see creatives doing things differently, and these Boston sneaker brands definitely have a unique take on story and brand.
So which store are you heading to on your next visit to Boston?
Trick question: The answer is “all of them”.
If you dug this post, please pass it along to your homies. Word of mouth is this blog’s fuel.
Remember – everytime you share, a sneakerhead gets its wings.
Amelia x
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