LACED | STORE PROFILE
Over the next few months NB574.com will be running profiles on our retail partners, the first store out of the blocks is QLD’s own Laced. Phil and Clinton have been stocking NB since day one and have become one of the go to stores for NB product. They have also been the Australian home for many limited NB releases such as the Pigeons, Solebox,’s and the Vault’s just to name a few.
So tell us a bit about Laced, when did you guys open and why did you decide to take the big step and open a store?
We opened up shop in September 2006 mainly because we collectively wanted to work for ourselves, doing something we enjoyed. The idea to open up a retail store had come about years before, along with the name, and by the time we had our shit together we stumbled upon the building we’re in, and everything just seemed to slide into place. At the time there weren’t really any stores in Brisbane like the one we had in mind so we just jumped in the deep end and haven’t looked back. We didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into, this isn’t an easy gig by any means, but we’ve learnt a bunch and have had a lot of fun along the way and I don’t think we would have changed a thing. Really, a big part of the reason why we created what we did is cause we love it so much, the lifestyle, the culture, it’s everything. Laced is not just sneakers and streetwear, it’s what’s playing in your headphones, it’s the posters on your wall, your toy collection, and it’s hopefully something Brisbane can be proud of.
Who are some of the people and things that inspire you and your team on the daily?
It’s hard to keep inspired when it seems everything’s been done before but I think to an extent we inspire ourselves to keep it exciting and consistently change with the trends…or make those trends ourselves. I guess for us it’s just about being open to anything and getting inspiration from anyone, anywhere and not get bogged down with negativity and be lazy…that’s too easy. Generally we get a lot of inspiration from old movies, BMX, music, art, the internet, technology, design, and space…the final frontier.
What is it you like about NB and what sets it apart from other brands in the market?
It’s the New Balance comfort and quality that seals the deal and has created a cult following among ourselves and our customers. NB has a solid history among sneaker collectors and it only really takes someone one try of a New Balance runner to convert and be all like “where have you been all my life…these are so comfortable!”
I know it is a hard one, what would be your favourite NB’s?
Yea that is a hard one. Everyone here has a pretty decent NB collection and we all have our faves but I think collectively we like the suede and mesh 574s, 576, 577, 997, 998, 999, 1300 and 1500, especially anything that’s Made In England or at the hands of Super Team 33, and of course the limited co-labs.
What can someone expect to be going down in your store on any given day?
We keep it pretty chilled at the shop, except when there’s table tennis, darts and beers involved (but that’s usually after hours).We’re pretty ‘nose to the grind stone’ when it comes to updating our website with new product as it arrives, which seems to be every other day, but usually you can catch us watching old movies, or you might walk in on a showing for something that’s not going to be out for another 6 months, and there’s known to be a celebrity type person or two pop their head in. You don’t know what to expect around here… except good customer service of course.
What can anyone expect to be playing out the speakers in your store?
We all love our music and we play pretty much anything (except that Justin Bieber guy). We try and switch it up and put our Pods on shuffle so we don’t get bored of the same stuff, and/or stereotyped in any kinda way. In a walk around the shop you could hear a mid 90s Outkast track followed by Supertramp, followed by Aphex Twin, followed by Roy Ayers, followed by Meatloaf… you get the idea.
Any last words?
New Laced shop coming soon!!! Nuff said…
LACED
35
Adelaide St
Brisbane
QLD 4000
P
+61 7 3012 7888
E contact@laced.com.au
W www.laced.com.au