LOCAL Houston | The City Guide MARCH 2016

STYLE + LEISURE STITCH & TRACE Sneakerheadz, sit down because a few months back a sneaker store unlike anything you’ve ever seen locally quietly opened its doors in the Galleria Area. And this isn’t owner RAY ROBINSON’S first rodeo. He’s been doing sneakers for 15 years with three stores in Europe and one in Santa Monica. Why Houston, we asked him. “There really wasn’t a high-end store selling sneakers.” Robinson wanted to bring technology and offer customers a lifestyle store with a true retail experience. Robinson shares, “I wanted a cool, different store. I wanted them to walk in and say ‘OK, this is different. This is cool.’” And did he follow through! Floating sneakers, the store logo made out of tennis balls, limited edition runs on pedestals. There’s a sitting area with three TVs where customers can hang out and watch a game or play video games. He has partnerships with brands like Asic, Reebok, Puma and Reebok but Adidas is his largest partner. “Adidas is killing it. Adidas is everything. I made a decision not to bring Nike in, because I wanted to show people you can be successful and not have to be beat up by what some of these other brands do.” Robinson aims to get the hot sneaker in the hands of anyone who wants it. You don’t have to be a rockstar ball player or rapper at Stitch & Trace – this should be music to all sneakerheadz’ ears. www.stitchandtrace.com By Carla Valencia de Martinez Photography courtesy of Stitch & Trace 60 L O C A L | march 16

LOCAL Houston | The City Guide MARCH 2016 | Page 60