The flagship retail store for the popular web- d indie shoe company Solestruck is located in an adaptive reuse building called Blackbox in the upcoming West End neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Solestruck is one of six micro-retail storefronts located in the Blackbox.
The retail space is defined by swaths of light displaying a curated exhibit of shoes. The rest is “shop-dark” with black concrete floors, dark textured walls and brake-form l shelves that fade away. The central cabinet, carved out of a columnar structure, features notched seating as well space for storage and display.
The back-of-house is in cork and exposed brick, creating a warm and expressive contrast to the dramatic display zone. Drawing on a wine cellar concept, the backstock is exposed as a collection, made visible to the public through a floor to ceiling glass wall.
Backstock shelving and hanging bars are removable to adjust to merchandising requirements for Solestruck’s clothing company collaborations. Versatility of the space also allows for the shoe store to convert into an event space.