By Jesse Merchant /// Style Editor
Entering Solestruck is like walking into a glam-rock, sporty-chic space world where high-fashion rules, customers are hip, and employees very well could have stepped out of a Nylon Magazine editorial.
Solestruck operates much like a showroom, carrying men’s and women’s shoes and brands that include Adidas, Kenzo, Opening Ceremony, and Rachel Comey.
I sat down with Jordan Barnes, a Solestruck employee who, abiding by the store’s anti-job title mantra, simply “helps run the store.” He was welcoming and insisted I make myself and home. Glancing around, I was struck by the juxtaposition between the yellow tulips sitting on the and the store’s edgy ambiance.
Solestruck’s mission “to rid the world of ugly shoes” began in Portland eleven years ago.
Carson Goodall, another Solestruck employee, described that mission: “We’re not afraid to rock the boat. We’ve made finding new brands and trends that represent our customer community our biggest priority and really strive to create an experience that is different than the e-commerce or retail experience you can get anywhere else.”
When asked why LC students should shop at Solestruck, Goodall gave a tongue-in-cheek, saying: “shopping is more fun than homework, shoes are also an investment in your future, shoes won’t cheat on you, and spending money on shoes is way more fun than spending money on tuition.”
Solestruck can be found at 417 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97205 or you can check out their website at solestruck.com.
Leave a Reply