New Sneaker Store Opens On West Main Street

A warm welcome was extended to a new West Main Street business on Wednesday, when a high-end sneaker store officially swung open its doors.

The opening of Headquarters, at 23 West Main Street, was celebrated by town officials and passers-by during an 11 a.m. ribbon cutting in front of the store.

Mayor J. Nolan Higgins and Councilman Ronald Griffiths were on hand to cut the ribbon on the new downtown shop and welcome owner Kye Lee, of Ocean Township, to the neighborhood.

“We’re so happy to have you here. You’ve done a beautiful job with the store,’’ Higgins said. “And we’re honored to have you in Freehold Borough.’’

The store was the former site of Al’s Bootery, which opened in 1945. It was the store where Higgins’ got his first pair of school shoes. Back then, the store was operated by Larry Sorcher, who still owns the building and came to wish his new tenent good luck.

“I think its marvelous what he’s done with the place,’’ Sorcher said. “Obviously we were concerned about who would be move in here and Mr. Lee was the right fit.’’

Lee’s shop is not a typical sneaker store. You won’t find any of his stock in the mall, or anywhere else in Monmouth or Ocean counties, he said.

It’s exclusive. It’s rare. And some of it is collectible.

You won’t find a pair of Keds here. But what you will find are rare or limited-edition Air Jordans and other high-end sneakers, Lee said.

“It’s very exclusive,’’ Lee said. “No other store carries these. If you’re looking for a certain style or certain model, then you have to come here.’’