When the chance to launch our own denim store glimmered in mid-2006, the both of us shared one and the same reaction of an enthusiasm to use that chance! The store is literally next door to the Red Wing Shoe Store in one of Boston’s most vibrant, creative and up-and-running local areas – which has a huge history in traditional retail and crafts; the neighborhood is very opened to new businesses and people coming in to their district.
What are some of your favorite local businesses that you like to support?
While writing these words, I just realized that both Marco (owner Men vs Machine) and Piere (Sams&Son) are not Boston natives. Maybe there is something about that city that which feels just so right to these guys from the North, not sure. Anyway leave all perceptions about Boston behind and the city will surprise you!
We owe big part for the brand’s success in the States to the productive relationships formed with one of our first of retailers there, Burg & Schild in New York. One of the partners there, Kay Knipschild, endeavored on getting the Red Wing Heritage shops opened across the USA: first in Boston, then New York city, and finally in the nation’s capital – Washington DC. He brought with him Christian Josh Heise (Josh to us), whom we had met during his work as an administrative top manager at Burg & Schild.
His likeness of raw denim and also rugged boots and heavy music resonated well with us from the start and we were amazed to find out that he partnered with Kay to open up a denim-focused store in Boston literally next to Red Wing Heritage shop called Statement Store. With their second year since opening ongoing, we took time to chat with Josh about his impressions of the city and the numbers on the progress of their sales.