Shop Shout: Rare Breed Footwear

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Located in Long Branch, New Jersey, Rare Breed has been the place to go when it comes to kicks and sportswear.

Rare Breed has been giving sneaker lovers the latest in kicks and apparel since May 5, 2007. They carry all the usual suspects in both clothing and footwear such as Reebok, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, PF Flyers, Supra, Clae and a slew of others. Click here to learn a little more about the shop and one of its owners. In addition, check out more photos of the store after the jump.

Rare Breed Footwear
57A Brighton Avenue
Long Branch, NJ 07740
732-222-4430

Name: DJ Senatore

Tell us a little about you and your position at the store: I’m 26 years old and I am the Co-Owner of Rare Breed Footwear along with my business partner Stephen Perri. I’ve been into sneakers since I was a little kid, and I always had the newest sneakers. Once I got into high school, I really started collecting and the love just grew from there.

What makes your store special? We try to look a little different than most stores; clean look, nothing
too crazy. Most of our displays are custom made. We have a fence and a bleacher that we display clothing and shoes on. It has both the feel of a boutique and a little street feel. Also, we appreciate our customers, and we appreciate them coming in, whether its to buy something or just hang out and chop it up for a little bit.

Shoe that got you hooked: 1996 Air Jordan XI – White/Columbia. My brother just came back from the mall with my mom, and she had bought them for him. I wanted them, so she took me back to the mall that night and she bought them for me too. Those were the good ol’ days when you didn’t have to camp out for shoes.

Last pair you purchased: Chapter World x Reebok Court Victory

Favorite pair you don?t own: Original Reebok Double Pump

Amount of pairs you own: Around 375 pairs

Top 3 of all-time:

OG Alife Green Ballout

Original Reebok Pump Arsenal

White/Cement Jordan IV

Which upcoming release are you looking forward to? All the 20th Anniversary Reebok Pump collabs.

If I wasn’t a shoe store owner, I would probably be a: Miserable 9 to 5er with the dream of one day owning a store. Never give up on the dream people.

One reason why shoes matter: Shoe are everything. To me, they define a person. By looking at a person’s shoes, you can tell a lot about them and how they live. Its the first thing I notice about a person. It may not sound too good, but I judge people by their footwear.

One reason you love shoes: Plain and simple: memories. I love looking at a pair of shoes and remembering when I had them as a kid and how big of a deal it was to have the newest shoes that came out.

One thing that you dislike about the shoe game: There’s not much originality with a lot of people anymore. People don’t buy/wear what they like. They buy what everyone else thinks is hot. Be your own person. Wear what you like.

Anything else you want to tell our readers?* If you’re ever in NJ, be sure to come check us out. If you’re not, check us online at rarebreedfootwear.com. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Rare Breed