Baltimore is home to generations of movers and shakers in the art and music communities, including photographer and multimedia artist Shan Wallace. Wallace has occupied Baltimore her entire life and aims to share the intricacies of the city with the masses through her visual works, which display Baltimore in an all-encompassing light. “I spend a lot of my time documenting Baltimore,” Wallace continues, “A lot of my work is really focused on informing the world of the culture of the city and the people of the city. There's an ongoing beautiful history happening that I feel deserves to be archived.”
A large part of Baltimore’s culture is the personal style that many Baltimorians adopt. “Baltimore loves New Balance. I love New Balance,” Wallace expresses. She recalls going down to the local store to purchase new colorways with every new drop — the 990 being her favorite style. “When people are getting dressed here, they think about comfort. I think the 990 often inspires us to look better, so it also definitely drives our style,” she adds. Wallace explored the different ways the 990 has impacted her own style and the culture in Baltimore by taking us to some of her most meaningful spots in the city.
NEW BALANCE 990v6
SOUNDS OF AN ICON
(SELECT A CITY)
Baltimore
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Baltimore
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
DMV
Baltimore is home to generations of movers and shakers in the art and music communities, including photographer and multimedia artist Shan Wallace. Wallace has occupied Baltimore her entire life and aims to share the intricacies of the city with the masses through her visual works, which display Baltimore in an all-encompassing light. “I spend a lot of my time documenting Baltimore,” Wallace continues, “A lot of my work is really focused on informing the world of the culture of the city and the people of the city. There's an ongoing beautiful history happening that I feel deserves to be archived.”
A large part of Baltimore’s culture is the personal style that many Baltimorians adopt. “Baltimore loves New Balance. I love New Balance,” Wallace expresses. She recalls going down to the local store to purchase new colorways with every new drop — the 990 being her favorite style. “When people are getting dressed here, they think about comfort. I think the 990 often inspires us to look better, so it also definitely drives our style,” she adds. Wallace explored the different ways the 990 has impacted her own style and the culture in Baltimore by taking us to some of her most meaningful spots in the city.
CLICK TO ENTER
The city of Philadelphia is characterized by its infectious energy and unwavering sense of camaraderie, but above all else, it thrives upon its diverse and dedicated residents. Philadelphians are strong-willed and take pride in their sense of style and self-assuredness. For Shannon Maldonado, founder and creative director of the conceptual shop and platform Yowie, Philadelphia is and always has been home. She grew up in the eclectic South Street neighborhood, where her creative passions began to blossom. “It felt like a safe space and it also felt like a space where every type of person hung out,” Maldonado explains, “The 990 feels like a shoe that speaks to Philadelphia because we have very strong opinions and are very passionate and it's definitely a shoe that has its own distinct style.”
“I always felt like myself when I was on South Street — I could wear any crazy phase I was going through and that would be acceptable there,” she says. It’s this creative liberty that later led Maldonado to start her own small business, a home and lifestyle shop. Now, seven years later, the space has grown into a design studio and is soon to be a boutique hotel. Amidst all of this growth, Maldonado leans on comfortable, minimal garments and accessories to support her through the motions — one of her favorites being the New Balance 990. She explored the different ways the 990 has impacted her own style and the culture in Philadelphia by taking us to some of her most meaningful spots in the city.
CLICK TO ENTER
The New Balance 990 is a sneaker that has defined culture and stood the test of time to become a footwear staple embraced by many. Adaptive and versatile, the silhouette has been a go-to shoe for all types of creatives looking to forge their own unique identities. Artists wear the 990 to create in their studios and explore their cities. Ultimately, the 990 is “the people’s sneaker.” Various cities across the nation have been heavily influenced by the 990, whether as a neighborhood’s unofficial style or as a symbol of solidarity amongst a tight-knit community.
Hitting the road, Hypebeast traveled to the DMV, Philly, and Baltimore to speak to local legends and creatives about the lasting legacy New Balance and the 990 have imprinted on their cities. Bringing each city to life, viewers can engage in experimental field recordings and audio bites from each interview and distinct location.
NEW BALANCE 990v6
SOUNDS OF AN ICON
39.2904° N, 76.6122° W
(SELECT A CITY)
(CITY DESCRIPTION)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Baltimore
The city of Philadelphia is characterized by its infectious energy and unwavering sense of camaraderie, but above all else, it thrives upon its diverse and dedicated residents. Philadelphians are strong-willed and take pride in their sense of style and self-assuredness. For Shannon Maldonado, founder and creative director of the conceptual shop and platform Yowie, Philadelphia is and always has been home. She grew up in the eclectic South Street neighborhood, where her creative passions began to blossom. “It felt like a safe space and it also felt like a space where every type of person hung out,” Maldonado explains, “The 990 feels like a shoe that speaks to Philadelphia because we have very strong opinions and are very passionate and it's definitely a shoe that has its own distinct style.”
“I always felt like myself when I was on South Street — I could wear any crazy phase I was going through and that would be acceptable there,” she says. It’s this creative liberty that later led Maldonado to start her own small business, a home and lifestyle shop. Now, seven years later, the space has grown into a design studio and is soon to be a boutique hotel. Amidst all of this growth, Maldonado leans on comfortable, minimal garments and accessories to support her through the motions — one of her favorites being the New Balance 990. She explored the different ways the 990 has impacted her own style and the culture in Philadelphia by taking us to some of her most meaningful spots in the city.
Philadelphia
(Coming Soon)
Washington DC is not only the epicenter of American history and politics, but it's also a region boasting passionate tastemakers who are proud to call it home. DC residents can often be seen sporting dynamic looks, complete with a pair of New Balance sneakers. “With DC being arguably the birthplace of the 990 as a trend, we always want our New Balance’s to look stylish. The way we style it has traditionally been with a lot of the tech wear that we have adopted here along with very crisp, clean lines,” says Dom Adams, creative and co-founder of retail store and coffee shop, Somewhere.
Adam’s origins are about having a strong sense of pride in his creative endeavors. “Natives here love for the world to know that they're from here,” Adams shares. Growing up, he recalls spending days by The Wharf, grabbing fresh seafood, and hitting the barbershop, which was an essential part of his self-discovery — especially when it came to his passions. “The meeting ground of all things cool was always the barbershop. My earliest New Balance memories took place there, just seeing people with these fresh shoes on,” he says. Surrounding himself with supportive communities led Adams on the path to open Somewhere, putting his city on the map in the fashion realm. Adams reflects on the many ways the 990 has impacted the culture in DC by taking us to some of his preferred spots around town.
CLICK TO ENTER
DMV
DMV
(Coming Soon)
Washington DC is not only the epicenter of American history and politics, but it's also a region boasting passionate tastemakers who are proud to call it home. DC residents can often be seen sporting dynamic looks, complete with a pair of New Balance sneakers. “With DC being arguably the birthplace of the 990 as a trend, we always want our New Balance’s to look stylish. The way we style it has traditionally been with a lot of the tech wear that we have adopted here along with very crisp, clean lines,” says Dom Adams, creative and co-founder of retail store and coffee shop, Somewhere.
Adam’s origins are about having a strong sense of pride in his creative endeavors. “Natives here love for the world to know that they're from here,” Adams shares. Growing up, he recalls spending days by The Wharf, grabbing fresh seafood, and hitting the barbershop, which was an essential part of his self-discovery — especially when it came to his passions. “The meeting ground of all things cool was always the barbershop. My earliest New Balance memories took place there, just seeing people with these fresh shoes on,” he says. Surrounding himself with supportive communities led Adams on the path to open Somewhere, putting his city on the map in the fashion realm. Adams reflects on the many ways the 990 has impacted the culture in DC by taking us to some of his preferred spots around town.
Lexington Market / Howard Street
Lexington Market and Howard Street are historic parts of Baltimore — these are the spaces that Wallace aims to preserve and showcase in her work. “I'm not only thinking about joy in my work, but I'm also not only thinking about brutality. I'm thinking about the larger spectrum,” she shares. Many of her photos are taken in Baltimore’s public spaces, as Wallace aims to display the diverse community networks that keep the city thriving. Many of the businesses sprawled across Howard Street are Black-owned businesses and Wallace emphasizes the importance of giving these spaces and communities visibility. “I feel like when we're talking about Black History and when we're talking about American history, we should especially be talking about a place like Baltimore because it's offered so much to this world,” Wallace adds.
Enoch Pratt Free Library
Enoch Pratt Free Library emphasizes the access to education that Wallace highlights through her work. “We've got all of these different, amazing thinkers and makers from the city. And I think because now we're all out in the world and we're all presenting Baltimore within our own right, people are becoming a little bit more educated and informed on all of the things that Baltimore has to offer,” Wallace continues, “Being from Baltimore isn't something that you can erase from a person. It is something that is a part of their genetic makeup, their physical makeup. If a person is from Baltimore, you're gonna know that they're from Baltimore.”
Baltimore Museum of Art
“In my work, I am often walking around six hours a day or going to where the marching bands are, and museums, and such,” Wallace shares. One of the many museums that has acted as a backdrop for her photos and archival work is the Baltimore Museum of Art. The museum provides free entry to all guests, so all have access to immersing themselves in the exhibits on show there.
DTLR Mondawmin Mall
Downtown Locker Room holds a significant place in Wallace’s memories, as this is the staple location where she would purchase all of her new sneakers and the spot that she cites as her first New Balance memory. She tells us that story, sharing, “The first memory I have of the 990 and New Balance is my mother taking me to Downtown Locker Room. This was in the early 2000s, I remember her taking me there and us getting matching New Balance 990s,” she continues, “I remember doing that faithfully throughout high school like clockwork. There are a lot of memories tied to those moments. Great, positive memories. And so many Baltimorians have this same story because it's a shoe that has just always been so active in our lives.” Hypebeast had a chance to speak to June Saunders, DTLR’s Director of Product Design as well, who expanded upon B-more’s love for New Balance: “I copped my first pair of 990s in the early 90s. Our love for the 990 series has been a local tradition for decades and is driven by the sense of purpose, design, comfort, and enviable reputation from back then to now.”
NEW BALANCE 990v6: SOUNDS OF AN ICON
CITY: BALTIMORE, MD
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Shan’s Studio
120 w north ave, Baltimore, Md 21201
39.2904° N, 76.6122° W
Shan’s studio is where the magic happens. Before getting ready to spend a day creating, Wallace says she’ll usually, “...throw my apron on, put on my black pants, and complete the look with my 990s. It's like my uniform.” She always reaches for her 990s when working, as they provide the proper support she is looking for. On what this spot means to Wallace, she expresses, “My studio is the place where I house my archive and the main place where I'm making, processing, and thinking. It's like an office, but it's also my sacred space. Everything is kind of a little unorganized, but it's my second home.”
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 01:
BALTIMORE, MD
Location:
Shan’s Studio
120 w north ave Baltimore Md 21201
39.2904° N, 76.6122° W
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
good neighbor
3827 Falls Rd, Baltimore, MD 21211
39.2904° N, 76.6122° W
Good Neighbor is a go-to spot for Wallace to decompress and engage with her community. “Growing up here, Baltimore molded me into someone who is just really thoughtful about the city and who really, really cares. I’m always thinking ‘How can I be an artist that collaborates with the community?’” says Wallace, so visiting local spots is important in her daily routine. She is inspired by the design and interior elements of the coffee shop, stating, “To me, it feels like what I aspire to have in my home. The design there represents my type of interest in furniture, culture, and art. It offers a place of comfort because it's so beautiful and everything is just so thoughtful.”
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 01:
BALTIMORE, MD
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Shake & Bake
1601 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217
39.2904° N, 76.6122° W
Shake & Bake is a significant spot not only to Wallace but to the cultural heritage that thrives in the city of Baltimore. “I went to Shake & Bake last night. It's on Pennsylvania Avenue, which is a historic street. It's still moving and shaking. I mean, all of us have been skating at Shake & Bake. In a lot of ways, that place has nurtured us as skaters and as a community. It's a place where you see your OGs and you're welcome there too,” Wallace shares. This close-knit community network is something that continues even outside of Shake & Bake, as Wallace cites some of the older generations as inspiration for her personal style. “The beautiful thing is — how I started wearing the 990s at least — is because I was seeing the older generation wearing them. I think that it's a shoe that connects our style,” she says. Shake & Bake is also a special spot for Wallace because of the culture it preserves. “It’s a beautiful place that keeps the skate community together, but ultimately just keeps the Black community together in a lot of ways as well.”
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 01:
BALTIMORE, MD
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
“This space serves as inspiration for a lot of people,” Maldonado shares. “It has a great mission of art for all.” Shannon explains. Institutions like this one allow all individuals access to creative tools and resources through a coworking and event space that highlights photography, music production, and podcasting. This was started by two Temple students, further spotlighting the dynamic creative community in Philly.
All Caps Studio
With another conceptual location on the way and a hotel project set to launch this summer, it is clear that Maldonado prefers to channel her energy through many different mediums. In the same way that Yowie is a multi-purpose space, All Caps Studio is both a brand and design house specializing in graphic design and photography — they share the same goal of educating and growing the community. “All Caps are really intentional about helping and educating and we have grown together in that as well,” Maldonado says.
ICA Philadelphia
The Institute of Contemporary Art is another artist hub in Philadelphia, contributing to the growing creativity in the city. It is one of the country’s premier museums bringing forth the most inventive art of our generation. Shannon elaborates on this burgeoning realm, “I feel like there's a really rich, new, self-made art and streetwear phenomenon here with kids that are launching their own lines, their own brands, people doing pop-up art galleries, and creating multi-purpose spaces.”
Caphe Roasters
Caphe Roasters is the first and only operating Vietnamese specialty coffee roastery in the city. The cafe operates out of the Kensington neighborhood, about twenty minutes from where Maldonado grew up. In the same way that the creative aims to bring a bit more color and vibrancy to the Philadelphia creative scene, Caphe Roasters enlivens the city and brings a new approach to the local realm through menu items that blend signature Philly food staples with Southeast and East Asian culture. Both Maldonado and the Caphe Roasters shop owners aim to bring diverse communities together through their passions — “They do a lot of community fundraisers as well. They’re a wonderful crew!” she exclaims.
NEW BALANCE 990v6: SOUNDS OF AN ICON
CITY: PHILADELPHIA
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
REC Philly
Location:
YOWIE Shop Hotel & Cafe
226 South ST, Philadelphia, PA 19147
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
Maldonado always had a creative knack. She began sewing at ten years old which led to her creating custom clothing. “I've never wanted to follow the crowd. So even if there was a trend that was emerging, I would think, 'What is my version of that?' and maybe that was going to a thrift store, buying a button-down, and chopping it in half or bleaching it,” she shares. Though she loved paving her own artistic path, Maldonado often felt like she didn’t have a like-minded community growing up. “Yowie was the result of feeling like what I'd hoped to create just didn't exist here,” she continues, “We now feel like a part of the thread of Philly's
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 02:
PHILADELPHIA, PA
creative scene, and with our new space, we are creating an anchor on South Street. We love that our shop feels like a drop-in space for people that are working on different projects and the teenage version of me is just dying that I'm going to own a store there.”
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
YOWIE Shop Hotel & Cafe
226 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19147
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
Maldonado always had a creative knack. She began sewing at ten years old which led to her creating custom clothing. “I've never wanted to follow the crowd. So even if there was a trend that was emerging, I would think, 'What is my version of that?' and maybe that was going to a thrift store, buying a button-down, and chopping it in half or bleaching it,” she shares. Though she loved paving her own artistic path, Maldonado often felt like she didn’t have a like-minded community growing up. “Yowie was the result of feeling like what I'd hoped to create just didn't exist here,” she continues, “We now feel like a part of the thread of Philly's creative scene, and with our new space, we are creating an anchor on South Street. We love that our shop feels like a drop-in space for people that are working on different projects and the teenage version of me is just dying that I'm going to own a store there.”
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
P’s & Q’s
820 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
Maldonado spent some time in New York City in her early adulthood before moving back to her home of Philadelphia. Upon her return, one of the first stores she visited was P’s and Q’s. “It was really inspiring seeing the community that they built around their brand. They started in Chinatown and had this really interesting store that was more of a concept store,” Maldonado adds. This is eventually the approach that she brought to Yowie — a space that acted not only as a retailer but also as a connection point for fashion enthusiasts and creators. P’s and Q’s is also a New Balance retailer, so the spot conjures Shannon’s early New Balance memories. “I remember going back to school shoe shopping on South Street every year and always picking out New Balances. The 990 feels like a shoe that speaks to the city because we have very
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 02:
PHILADELPHIA, PA
strong opinions and are very passionate and it's definitely a shoe that has its own style.” The store owners at P’s and Q’s weighed in on their community impact as well; “Community is very important to us — we don't want to grow by ourselves, but to grow together with everyone around us. And we have a story to tell too. Especially here in Philadelphia, we’re proud of where we’re from.” On the 990’s impact on Philly, they shared, “In Philly, the 990 was one of the most underrated sneakers because it first had the reputation of being a dad shoe. But in reality, it actually became an instant timeless classic.”
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
P’s & Q’s
820 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
Maldonado spent some time in New York City in her early adulthood before moving back to her home of Philadelphia. Upon her return, one of the first stores she visited was P’s and Q’s. “It was really inspiring seeing the community that they built around their brand. They started in Chinatown and had this really interesting store that was more of a concept store,” Maldonado adds. This is eventually the approach that she brought to Yowie — a space that acted not only as a retailer but also as a connection point for fashion enthusiasts and creators. P’s and Q’s is also a New Balance retailer, so the spot conjures Shannon’s early New Balance memories. “I remember going back to school shoe shopping on South Street every year and always picking out New Balances. The 990 feels like a shoe that speaks to the city because we have very strong opinions and are very passionate and it's definitely a shoe that has its own style.” The store owners at P’s and Q’s weighed in on their community impact as well; “Community is very important to us — we don't want to grow by ourselves, but to grow together with everyone around us. And we have a story to tell too. Especially here in Philadelphia, we’re proud of where we’re from.” On the 990’s impact on Philly, they shared, “In Philly, the 990 was one of the most underrated sneakers because it first had the reputation of being an old man, dad's shoe. But in reality, it actually became an instant timeless classic.”
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 02:
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Fleisher Art Memorial is one of Philly’s oldest nonprofits where Maldonado took classes as a kid. “When I was a kid, I was really into art and design and I felt like an outsider. But now it's everywhere. There's finally an audience for it here and an appetite to see those things through and it continues to inspire me,” she shares. It has shaped her into the creative she is today, and now Shannon passes that along to the next generation. “They teach everything from ceramics to photography and in 2018 I joined the board of directors there, which has been a very full circle moment,” she reflects.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
Fleisher Art Memorial is one of Philly’s oldest nonprofits where Maldonado took classes as a kid. “When I was a kid, I was really into art and design and I felt like an outsider. But now it's everywhere. There's finally an audience for it here and an appetite to see those things through and it continues to inspire me,” she shares. It has shaped her into the creative she is today, and now Shannon passes that along to the next generation. “They teach everything from ceramics to photography and in 2018 I joined the board of directors there, which has been a very full circle moment,” she reflects.
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Rittenhouse Square
1800 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 02:
PHILADELPHIA, PA
“The one thing Philly doesn't have enough of is green spaces,” says Maldonado, which is why one of her favorite meeting spots, or just a place to come and decompress from her work, is Rittenhouse Square. It also acts as a central location for her, as she is usually on the go. “I take public transit a lot so I feel like comfortable shoes, like the 990, that can take me from day to night, are really important to me. Since I run a small business, no day is the same for me,” she expresses.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Rittenhouse Square
1800 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
“The one thing Philly doesn't have enough of is green spaces,” says Maldonado, which is why one of her favorite meeting spots, or just a place to come and decompress from her work, is Rittenhouse Square. It also acts as a central location for her, as she is usually on the go. “I take public transit a lot so I feel like comfortable shoes, like the 990, that can take me from day to night, are really important to me. Since I run a small business, no day is the same for me,” she expresses.
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
The Philips Collection
When Adams was younger, he turned to art and architecture to inform his personal tastes and eye for design. One of the most valuable resources for art in the city is the Philips Collection, an art gallery that hosts a rich collection of works, including many of Jacob Lawrence’s famous paintings. “It's this amazing art collection that was founded in someone's house and they just wanted to bring beauty to the world. I've been a member of that gallery for a couple of decades at this point,” says Adams. “It's just a safe space because I know that art can be intimidating and frightening for some people. Their programming there is so beautiful and warm, and they encourage children to come together and enjoy the art.”
Sandlot Georgetown
Before attending school in New Jersey and spending time in New York City, Adams expresses that he didn’t see a real possibility of having a career in footwear and apparel. Sandlot Georgetown is a lively event space that proves DC residents possess a wealth of knowledge and insight to bring to the world. “Where I'm from, I didn't ever really think that two Black guys would own a space in Georgetown. It was hard to obtain when I was growing up. So I think it shows that a city can do whatever it wants to do without those sort of division lines,” he expresses. “It brings this level of authenticity that's unique, to an area that can be touristy and commercial. So they'll have Gogo music there along with world-renowned DJs. They mix the local with the world and it's just a way for people to enjoy themselves.”
The Market Lunch at Eastern Market:
In between days spent at Somewhere, Adams likes to head to The Market Lunch at Eastern Market for his favorite meals: a crabcake or soft shell crab sandwich. “DC's all about history and we have these significant landmarks, and Eastern Market is one of them. It's another open-air market, sort of similar to the Chelsea Market in New York. There are tons of vendors who have been there forever,” he shares.
Glenstone Museum
Much like the Philips Collection, the Glenstone Museum is an artistic institution that brings an expansive world view to the area. “The owners of the Glenstone Museum basically opened up their own personal property and art collection to visitors. It's amazing, I mean we're talking like Kerry James Marshall paintings, Basquiats, and Warhols. It's an architectural Garden of Eden. And the staff all used to wear New Balances, actually. I couldn't believe it was free when I first visited,” he continues, elaborating on how art enriched him growing up, “It helped shape my perspective and showed me that the world was bigger than my backyard.”
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
NEW BALANCE 990v6: SOUNDS OF AN ICON
CITY: WASHINGTON, DC
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Somewhere Navy Yard
1239 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
Somewhere Navy Yard opened its doors in 2019, Adams’ first location in the place he calls home. “The Navy Yard location is super special because it's the first brick-and-mortar location and the Southeast DC area means a lot to me. My family's been very close to that neighborhood for more or less a century. That area is where I learned most things. It was where we learned that all of these cultures could emerge and coexist,” he shares. Adams and his team aim to bring diverse perspectives and styles to the DC area through the many worldly brands they stock and collaborate with. “Our responsibility is to open our doors to the younger generation so they can see that there are avenues like this for them too.”
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 03:
WASHINGTON, DC
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Somewhere Navy Yard
1239 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
Somewhere Navy Yard opened its doors in 2019, Adams’ first location in the place he calls home. “The Navy Yard location is super special because it's the first brick-and-mortar location and the Southeast DC area means a lot to me. My family's been very close to that neighborhood for more or less a century. That area is where I learned most things. It was where we learned that all of these cultures could emerge and coexist,” he shares. Adams and his team aim to bring diverse perspectives and styles to the DC area through the many worldly brands they stock and collaborate with. “Our responsibility is to open our doors to the younger generation so they can see that there are avenues like this for them too.”
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
The Wharf DC
760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
Visiting The Wharf always conjures feelings of nostalgia in Adams, as he spent a lot of time there in his adolescence and it’s a place where he was exposed to a wide array of cultures and identities, shaping his style perspective. “It's one of the oldest operating open-air fish markets on the East Coast. When I was younger, that's where my family would get fresh fish, fresh crabs, fresh shrimp — fresh off the boat. So it's an important cultural hub, from a food perspective, but it's also a cultural hub for entertainment and fashion.”
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 03:
WASHINGTON, DC
Location:
The Wharf DC
760 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
Visiting The Wharf always conjures feelings of nostalgia in Adams, as he spent a lot of time there in his adolescence and it’s a place where he was exposed to a wide array of cultures and identities, shaping his style perspective. “It's one of the oldest operating open-air fish markets on the East Coast. When I was younger, that's where my family would get fresh fish, fresh crabs, fresh shrimp — fresh off the boat. So it's an important cultural hub, from a food perspective, but it's also a cultural hub for entertainment and fashion.”
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New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Somewhere Union Market
1285 4th St NE A, Washington, DC 20002
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
After Somewhere grew in influence, Adams opened up another location in Union Market, which functions as a wholesale market for various cultures and ethnicities. “This is very much a food town. Union Market is in the middle of this vast combination of old and new. You have all these new multimillion-dollar buildings next to buildings that have been operating and selling things for decades,” he continues, “So you have this crosswind, again, of transplants and natives and they all cross paths here. There are stories and histories here that probably will never be recorded — they're only oral. There's no other place in DC like this.”
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 03:
WASHINGTON, DC
Location:
Somewhere Union Market
1285 4th St NE A, Washington, DC 20002
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
After Somewhere grew in influence, Adams opened up another location in Union Market, which functions as a wholesale market for various cultures and ethnicities. “This is very much a food town. Union Market is in the middle of this vast combination of old and new. You have all these new multimillion-dollar buildings next to buildings that have been operating and selling things for decades,” he continues, “So you have this crosswind, again, of transplants and natives and they all cross paths here. There are stories and histories here that probably will never be recorded — they're only oral. There's no other place in DC like this.”
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
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Location:
Haines Point
2301 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
In between hanging out with friends and browsing the hottest New Balance releases, Adams also spent a lot of time at Haines Point during his upbringing. “Haines Point is the epicenter of summer in DC, especially if you're a kid that grew up in the ‘90s. You’d put your fresh New Balance shoes on, go to The Wharf, pick up some crabs, and head to Haines Point.” This was also a location that heavily influenced Adams’ outlook on the creative world. “From Haines Point, you can see the DMV all from one place. We could look at all of these planes, and as a kid, I'd just dream of where all these planes were going. And just knowing that maybe one day we would be able to afford to have an opportunity to get on them and go places was super inspiring,” he reflects.
(Tap to view)
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
Location:
Haines Point
2301 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024
38.9072° N, 77.0369° W
In between hanging out with friends and browsing the hottest New Balance releases, Adams also spent a lot of time at Haines Point during his upbringing. “Haines Point is the epicenter of summer in DC, especially if you're a kid that grew up in the ‘90s. You’d put your fresh New Balance shoes on, go to The Wharf, pick up some crabs, and head to Haines Point.” This was also a location that heavily influenced Adams’ outlook on the creative world. “From Haines Point, you can see the DMV all from one place. We could look at all of these planes, and as a kid, I'd just dream of where all these planes were going. And just knowing that maybe one day we would be able to afford to have an opportunity to get on them and go places was super inspiring,” he reflects.
New Balance MADE U.S. footwear contains a domestic value of 70% or more. MADE makes up a limited portion of New Balance’s U.S. sales.
NEW BALANCE 990v6
CITY 03:
WASHINGTON, DC
