Vega$ Sneaker Shopping
This past week our publishing company went to Vegas for the ACMs (Academy of Country Music Awards).
Of course, I had a list of sneaker shops I wanted to stop by. But between happy hours, parties, networking, casinos, and the pool - I know, hard life - my days got a little hectic and I only made it to one!
However, I did stop by the top spot - Urban Necessities, one of the best sneaker consignment stores.
Urban Necessities opened in September 2014 with founder Jaysee Lopez leading the way. Within the first year “he hit $1 million in sales by the end of its first year in operation. Since then, he’s grown the business each year, hitting $20 million in sales in 2018” (Footwear News).
Urban Necessities Sneaker Wall
Lopez’s entrepreneurial story and belief in himself is absolutely incredible. Below I attached a video where he talks about his beginning journey and how he created such an amazing company. (His story starts at 38:30 marker) Highly recommend watching!
Last year, I visited UN for the first time and knew this ACM trip I had to make a second stop. They have just recently moved into a new location in the Fashion Show Mall. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted multiple times with friendly sneaker enthusiasts welcoming me into the store. They clearly care about a customer’s experience and the environment.
One of the coolest aspects of UN is their technology allowing customers to check prices and sizes in stock by simply pulling out the camera app on your phone. All you do is hover your camera over the price tag of a shoe and BAM - a link pops up on your screen with all the information attached. Price. Size. Shoe Name. Everything.
Top Left: Camera Screenshot scanning sneaker tag Top Right: Information after hovering camera on tag
Bottom Left: Supreme Pinball Machine Bottom Right: The Heat Locker
I just went around checking things for fun and out of curiosity.
The storefront now is crisp, bright, and clean with one entire wall lined with sneakers. More shoes than most people could imagine being in one place. A sneakerhead’s dream.
The sneakers aren’t wrapped in plastic and they welcome their customers to pick them up and feel them - which I love.
The opposite wall is mostly lined with hanging racks and shelves of Bape, Supreme, and UN gear and in the middle is a dope Supreme Pinball machine.
Another fun aspect in the store is what they call the Heat Locker. The UN was the first to launch the Heat Locker which is an arcade game and the rewards are mostly rare sneakers.The whole premise of the game is to hit the button at the right time to make the key go perfectly into one of the slots to win.
Their Instagram is covered with winners from the Heat Locker. Luckily for my wallet but unfortunate for me, I wasn’t able to play this trip, but I played my fair share on my first trip to Vegas last year.
Check out the video below and go check out the store if you’re in Vegas soon!
P.S. Business of Hype (HYPEBEAST) just did a recent interview with Jaysse Lopez where he covers his whole story. Link Below:
Start at 38 minute mark for his passionate entrepreneurial journey