Former Pacers guard Fred Jones is going with a new game plan. Last year, the basketball player turned boutique owner scrapped his Mass Ave clothing shop, Zag West, and rebounded with The Luxury Sneaker Exchange. The new store is scoring major points with fans of high-end kicks and Indy’s pro athletes; you might even spot Pacers center Ian Mahinmi perusing the wide selection of sizes (up to 17) and footwear, ranging from retired Nike, Adidas, and Reebok styles to the recently released Air Jordan 10 Retro OVO ($750), rapper Drake’s signature pair. The polished storefront, managed by co-owner Carl Bradley (pictured), feels like you’re shopping inside a man cave—customers often break from browsing the tidy rows of new and used models (in mint condition) to play pool at the table in the middle of the space. Not a sneakerhead? Jones and Bradley custom-designed cool Indiana-themed tees for the shop with shoelace graphics of the state or the 317 zip code. Serious sneaker collectors should check out “The 7,” a monthly release of seven rare pairs that travel out the door quickly. Want to feel better about indulging your habit? Patients at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital designed the Air Jordan Doernbecher Mr. Boober ($800). Proceeds support Nike’s partnership with the hospital, which has raised more than $11 million. Now that’s a slam dunk.
The Luxury Sneaker Exchange
421 Massachusetts Ave., 340-1954, theluxurysneakerexchange.com
Don’t Miss
The Air Jordan Oregon 5s in the display case, valued at $9,000 to $10,000 (not for sale).
