501 Kickz’s “Sneaker Madness” show was every sneakerhead’s dream. Vendors from all over the state came together to buy, sell and trade high-demand sneakers. The show was held in Little Rock, at the Jack Stephens Center on March 4.
Name-brand sneakers from Nike, Air Jordan, New Balance and Adidas have become highly sought-after to the point where they are selling out in seconds and are no longer accessible to the regular consumer. This increasing demand has led consumers to invest in the sneaker resale community.
Sneaker resellers are able to acquire these high-demand items and upsell them to those willing to pay more than the retail price.
501 Kickz is a local sneaker resale business in Little Rock, owned and operated by Adrian Wyatt and Javii Goins, that specializes in getting you your favorite hype sneakers. Wyatt said they started 501 Kickz to create a sneaker community in Arkansas.
“It’s so big elsewhere, and our state is behind on it so we’re trying to speed the process up,” Wyatt said.
Goins said, “We want to wake it up.”
501 Kickz initially started as a Facebook group, where users came together to sell their shoes.
The online group now has 1,300 members and has expanded to in-person sneaker shows.
501 Kickz hosts a few shows throughout the year in Little Rock, where the local community comes together to network and sell their items.
“Sneaker Madness” contained over 30 vendors and was not limited to just sneakers. Local clothing brands such as Young Fresh Clothing and Rlamar Clothing were in attendance, selling graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts in different colors to coordinate with popular shoes at the event. There also were vendors selling custom tufted rugs inspired by the different sneaker brands and hip-hop artists. The event even had artists selling sneaker-inspired wall art and paintings.
The most popular shoes at the event were Nike Dunk Lows and Air Jordans. Nike Dunk Lows retail for $110, while Air Jordans retail for $200. Some pairs were selling for as high as $450.
Daylen Mack, owner of Mack Soles said that his most sold sneakers were the Air Jordan models.
Mack decided to come out to the event not just to make sales, but to connect and meet new people.
“The sneaker culture to me is just an extra reason to come together as people and enjoy something we all have in common,” Mack said.
Outside the Jack Stephens Center, food trucks lined up so attendees were able to eat and shop. The food trucks were Ceci’s Chicken and Waffles, Fry Fry Crazy and Smoke Beast BBQ. Ceci’s Chicken and Waffles offers several variations of chicken and waffles, such as strawberry shortcakes and red velvet. Fry Fry Crazy specializes in gourmet loaded french fries. Smoke Beast BBQ had different BBQ entrees, like loaded baked BBQ potatoes and pulled pork sandwiches.
For more information about 501 Kickz and future events, find them on Facebook and Instagram @501_kickz.