trends
SOLD ʻEM
CAN IKICK IT ? Maher shows off some of the merchandise at his store .
This is the most expensive pair of sneakers ever purchased at The Clothing Connect store : the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “ Chicago ,” which sold for $ 6,000 . Originally marketed in 2017 , with a retail price of $ 190 , the release marked the first collaboration between fashion designer Virgil Abloh and the Jordan Brand . Not surprisingly , the most expensive piece of clothing sold at the store had a high fashion connection as well . Also released in 2017 , the Supreme xLouis Vuitton Box Logo Tee retailed for $ 485 and eventually went to a buyer for $ 1,500 .
The internet and social media have helped Maher ’ s bottom line . “ Without Instagram , I do not think I would have a storefront ,” he says .“ It makes it so much easier to have direct contact with our customers . We have people all over the world who find our page and can make purchases through direct messaging .” It ’ s a far cry from when he started out , and most deals took place in person at sneaker events or through Facebook Marketplace .
But linking virtually isn ’ t the same as meeting in person , he says . When most of the transactions are online , it “ hurts the sneaker community . You can ’ t make the connections and build relationships ,” Maher says . “ Most people are in it for the money instead of the culture , which is one of the reasons Ifell in love with sneakers in the first place . I still have friends I met more than five years ago from buying or selling .”
It is those relationships and sense of community that keep The Connect Clothing Store so popular . Online shopping is convenient , but nothing beats walking into an actual store , holding the product and chatting with people who share your interests .
Maher plans on always keeping a store in Montclair because of how much love and support he has gotten over the past three years , and hopes to open a second location in New York City at some point . But no matter what the future holds for the sneaker industry and his business , you can count on Maher never forgetting his roots .“ I still clean all the sneakers before we put them out for sale ,” he says . ■
The Connect Clothing Store , 402 Bloomfield Ave ., Montclair ; ( 862 ) 333-4251 ; @ theconnect clothingstores onInstagram
STORE : COURTESY OFLUCAS MAHER ; SNEAKERS : COURTESY OF JORDAN BRAND
26 FALL 2021 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE