DETROIT, MI - NoJo Kicks co-owner CEO Matt Caputo remembers traveling to big cities as a teenager to purchase and sell high-end, exclusive sneakers.

After opening NoJo Kicks, a new apparel retailer with two other co-owners on June 23 in downtown Detroit, Caputo said he hopes other sneaker enthusiasts like him won't have to travel to other big cities to find rare, vintage sneakers.

"It's been great," Caputo, 26, said of the store's feedback since opening three weeks ago. "When people come in the store, they can't believe it's in downtown Detroit. It's a great experience for them to see Detroit rebounding. We want to be a part of that movement in a big way."

NoJo Kicks, which is named for founder and primary owner Andy Beletskiy's sons, Noah and Jordan, drew a line of 130 people out the door at 1220 Library St. for its soft opening. The store has sold over 450 shoes and has earned visits from several pro athletes and prominent musical artists.

Caputo said there are more big plans on the horizon. The store's grand opening is scheduled for July 26 with hip-hop artist Fabolous signing autographs, followed by an after after-party at Club Bleu in Detroit.

Ndamukong Suh is also scheduled visit in the next upcoming weeks, Caputo said.

NoJo offers over 250 styles of different high-end sneakers, ranging from just over $100 up to $8,500 for a pair of limited Air Jordan's that rapper Drake designed. Several other rare shoes are showcased around the store such as worn and autographed shoes from Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

"That is what also brings people here," Caputo said. "You're not going to be able to see that in any other part of Michigan. If you're a sneaker enthusiast from two hours up north, you're going to want to come down to see that."

Unique Experience

NoJo is not designed to be a typical shoe store. A 40-foot stainless steel wall right across from the checkout counter displays the extensive shoe collection, while several top-notch sneakers are presented in glass cases throughout the store.

Beletskiy, who is also CEO of Rapid Metals, a steel and nonferrous metals distributor based in West Bloomfield, incorporated his steel industry career while designing the ceiling. Suspended steel tubing overhangs the upstairs loft that features several leather couches and chairs that customers can try shoes on or sit and watch TV.

About 30 rare jerseys, hats and plaques that Beletskiy has collected provide vintage decor for the store.

"We really wanted to provided a type of museum for shoes," Caputo said. "We want you to be able to experience the culture.



"Whether it's the memorabilia on the walls or if it's the Xbox and the TV in the lounge, I know when people come in, they really get a good feeling just being able to get this good of a selection at one place. I love being able to look at this wall every day."

Detroit resident Jason Gilliam said he has never seen a shoe store this elaborate.

"I've been to different stores, different companies, but have never seen anything on this level," he said. "This is like totally original, totally elite."

How it started

While co-owner Aaron Fields was a store manager at Foot Locker, he developed a relationship with Beletskiy and his two sons selling them shoes. When Caputo opened the first Villa shoes store in Michigan, he recruited Fields to work at Villa.

After some collaboration, the three decided to partner and believed Detroit was a city that was in need of a luxury shoe store.

"Detroit is a big city," Fields said. "It's huge for this city. Just about everything we carry on our wall, you can't find at any store other store. You can go to California or New York or Chicago, but you cant find them anywhere else in Michigan."

More to come

NoJo's is the first of several new retail spots to open in "The Z" parking garage and retail development building, developed by Bedrock Real Estate which is owned by Quicken Loans founder and Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

"He's been in three times now," Caputo said of Gilbert. "His son Nick comes in here all the time. They've definitely welcomed us with open arms."

NoJo is open seven days a week: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.