Rare collectible shoes could fetch high prices at a specialty store that opened in time for the ArtPrize festival in one of the last remaining retail spaces in downtown Grand Rapids. Located at 53 Monroe Center St., Dead Solez (pronounced “Dead Soles”) specializes in the fast-growing national phenomena of trading and selling high-end, luxury sneakers. These are limited edition or discontinued sneakers that increase in value over time, such as Air Jordan 11, Nike Foamposite, Jordan 1 Collaborations and Jordan Doernbechers. The store also sells and trades high-end baseball caps such as New Era hats.
“Anyone who has visited Grand Rapids in recent years can see that this city is absolutely buzzing with all kinds of activity, so Dead Solez wanted to be here to provide unique products and services that we’re confident people will enjoy,” said Angelo Martinez, co-owner of Dead Solez, in a statement. “We’re really excited to set up shop right in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.”
At Dead Solez, customers can trade their rare sneakers for cash or upgrade to higher-end shoes. Dead Solez has sneaker experts on staff to evaluate every high-end or rare sneaker. According to the New York Times, sneaker experts check shoe soles, tongues and other marks to authenticate shoes. Shoes with fewer creases and in men’s sizes tend to draw top dollar.
Trading and selling high-end sneakers represents the latest evolution of the nation’s love for sports footwear when the National Basketball Association banned then-Chicago Bulls’ rookie Michael Jordan from wearing his Nike Air Jordan 1 on the court because they violated NBA dress codes.
Chris Prins, associate at Colliers International|West Michigan, represented Dead Solez in its move to downtown Grand Rapids. He secured the three-year lease agreement.
