As the Midwest continues to grow within the sneaker and fashion culture, more spots in Chicago have been laying down the bricks and setting the foundation and quest for Chicago to be the 3rd talked about city when it comes to Sneakers and Fashion. Sneakerfiles brings you an In depth look at Leaders 1354 Located on 1400 N. Milwaukee (The North Branch) which has been opened for 2 months. The first Leaders was opened 2 years ago and they’ve been in business for 5 years, on the south side of Chicago at 4351 S. Cottage Grove (South Branch).
I interviewed Vic, One of the members of the Leaders team and says,
“Really, what Leaders brings to the whole street wear and sneaker culture is that, in Chicago, We were first ones before there was anybody else here trying to do it . We were Trying to establish a culture and give our city something to be proud of And to say that Chicago’s own is doing it instead of coming from somewhere else trying to do it in Chicago. Were from here. Chicago born and Chicago raised and Our take on the street wear culture is strictly Chicago. That’s our thing. Out side of that we just do it because this is what we love”
Xclusiveness
At leaders, We carry 10 deep, Billionaire Boy’s Club, Greedy Genius, Mighty Healthy, Acapulco Gold Lemar and Dauley, Mike 23, Leaders New Era And a bunch of other stuff that only 1 of 2 stores that carry it. We’re also one of the select accounts for A-life shoes. We also get shoes that only us and about 10 other stores in the world carry. On the south side We carry Nike SB and Nike Indy. At both stores We carry Adidas lifestyle and all the remix products.
Atmosphere of a Leader
“Other stores can sell the same shoe or even have the same product. But with Leaders, We give you an atmosphere. We kind of look at it like a barber shop with clothes. So We come in We talk shit with you. We care about our customers and that’s because its more personal and its not anything real corporate because everyone you see in the stores has something to do with the store and it’s not like someone that really doesn’t care because were all passionate of what We do. So when u come in here we treat you like family so sometimes family is nice to you and sometimes family treats you like shit but its just part of the feel that we give you know?”
-Oscar Castillo AKA Wreckinkickz
Visit Leaders at
Leaders1354.com
Myspace.com/leaders1354
Address:
South Branch:
4351 S.Cottage Grove Ave Chicago, IL 60653
North Branch:
Wicker Park 1400 N. Milwaukee Chicago, IL 60622
