Local sneaker boutique leads the way for street fashion

BY JUSTIN BREWER

You may not know this, but alleyways are downtown Charleston’s portals. By traversing through one of these shaded corridors, you’ll end up in any number of places, most in startling contrast to your familiar kingdom. This journey could take you to a secret watering hole or a Cheshire garden that seems to fade in from nowhere.

     The red-labeled door at 237 King, across from Louis Vuitton, is no different. It’s easy to overlook, as it’s in an awkward, unexpected spot. But if you manage to walk by, you might as well be passing up the chance to travel to Narnia. That is, if Narnia were full of sneakers artfully displayed with snowy, soft lighting. Sneaker (Feet First) is that place.

     “I’m glad you were a part of this, man,” owner J.P. Hudson told me at one of the three parties he’s held at the store in the past year. “Just wait to see what we do next.”

     The thing about Hudson is he says that every time I see him. And he always seems to have a new chapter to back up his promise. In his first year of business, aside from the killer parties, he’s managed to get a nod in the City Paper’s 2013 Best Of issue as the best place to get your kicks, and his sneakers were featured in Charleston Fashion Week. The next chapters look as good as the beautifully curated selection of shoes.