The Higher Learned: St. Alfred All Day

Check out this excerpt from the interview by The Higher Learned crew of my friends at Saint Alfred in Chicago

Since opening their doors in 2005, St. Alfred has brought a refreshing and blinding light into the street wear and footwear world of Chicago. Located in Wicker Park, St. Alfred’s rock solid position in the culture has garnered great loyalty from customers around the world. Recently, The Higher Learned sat down with St. Alfred’s store Manager Krabby and sales associates Dawud and Rick to speak about the influence St. Alfred has with the streetwear and footwear generation in Chicago.

THL: When did St. Alfred first open their doors?

Krabby: We opened in August of 2005.

THL: What was the main reason behind choosing the name St. Alfred? What was the inspiration?

Krabby: There are four owners of St. Alfred they picked the name. The name is actually supposed to convey the concept, so it’s almost mystic. You hear the Saint and your thinking on the religious side,  then you think Alfred and it sounds kind of formal, like European or British. The concept of St. Alfred was to be a modern classic or new men’s classic coming from street wear and escaping from that side. It’s not conforming to the corporate side of what other people are already doing. The store is very minimal, really focusing or highlighting the selection in the store. That is the meaning behind the       name St. Alfred it is to be select.

THL: Why do you think the customer’s continue to be loyal to St. Alfred?

Krabby:  As far as St. Alfred goes, we spend a lot of time trying to find brands that other people aren’t already selling. And not only brands that people aren’t selling, but good brands. Even before I was working here, that’s what I was doing. It seems like anyone who is into streetwear just appreciates design or just cool shit. It’s a passion when finding something new that you didn’t know about and bringing it to Chicago and selling it. We try to offer more of an exclusive shopping experience by not having brands that other people do, even with the footwear. Two years ago it was just all Nike, now we have A-Life, Puma, Generic Surplus, Vans. Chicago is a huge city but it’s very small at the same time. We try to make it so when you come to the store, you’ll only see certain brands here. And to me that’s the best. I used to travel to shop, because I couldn’t get it in Chicago. Any where.  

Check out the rest of the interview on the The Higher Learned Website http://thehigherlearned.com/