DETROIT — A rebranded Michigan shoe retailer is expanding with plans to open seven new stores across the state, including locations in Detroit and Grand Rapids.
The Redford-based company once known for its catchy “$29 or two for $50” ad campaign has shifted gears in recent years, targeting Michigan’s sneakerhead market with a higher-end product line.
Mr. Alan’s Shoes and Sportswear is now known as Elite Mr. Alan’s, and CEO Jacob Bishop has plans to grow the 42-year-old Michigan company from 12 stores to 19.
“We’re definitely known for hard-to-get and exclusive sneakers,” Bishop said.
The company started out in Southfield and later expanded to open 11 more stores in Metro Detroit, Flint and suburban Grand Rapids.
A 6,000 square-foot store at 21310 Grand River Ave. in Detroit is under construction and is expected to be up and running by Nov. 1, Bishop said.
Six more are planned for Metro Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids by April or May 2017, according to Bishop.
The company offers difficult to find, premium-brand sneakers.
The Jordan brand’s Retro 5 Raptor is being released in select Mr. Alan’s locations on Saturday. Another Jordan shoe, released at all locations last Saturday, is the Black Nylon with the number 23 traced on the heel.
“We’ve been a part of the community for such a long time. We’ve grown through Detroit,” Bishop said.
“We also have almost 400 employees, almost all are based out of Michigan and Detroit.”
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