JFG
111.8K posts
@JoeFreshgoods Of course, my personal favorite for sure. When are the green 992s coming out? I have 7 pairs of 992s but would love to add that one to the collection, your first 992s go for like 2k and can’t find them in a size 11.
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@KevinFKevinF Just happy I’m like 30 shoes in now. It’s a blessing in this industry to keep going. Now everybody have different favorites. Pretty cool.
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Triple XXX (1993) Milwaukee Ave, North Ave & Damen Ave ... Before Gentrification
Here's a cool video of the vibe in and around Triple XXX, 1588 N Milwaukee Ave, and Literary Explosion (Lit-X), 1570 N Damen Ave, at the busy six-corner intersection of Milwaukee Ave, North Ave & Damen Ave.
The video starts at the vibrant and busy intersection of Milwaukee Ave, North Ave & Damen Ave. Doug Sawyer absorbs the lively atmosphere surrounding the Triple XXX. He captures footage of the advertisements and posters displayed in the storefront windows.
Inside Triple XXX, a few local guys are engaged in a cypher while Doug explores the various artworks and clothing offered in the shop. One of the artists proudly displays his sketchbook and mentions his intention to create silk-screen shirts there.
At about 17:30 into the video, Doug steps outside for a look at the Triple XXX signage and the general atmosphere. He then makes his way downstairs to Literary Explosion (Lit-X), a bookstore located in the basement of 1570 N Damen Ave.
The owners of Literary Explosion, Kendell Lloyd and his wife AnneMarie, provide a short overview of the culture, hip hop education, and lifestyle. Lit-X was situated just below Triple XXX, and the two establishments worked closely together.
The video wraps up by displaying the inside of the bookstore, highlighting a range of books (mostly Afrocentric). The walls are adorned with numerous photos of customers, friends, and local artists.
Lit-X was a hub for many of Chicago's contemporary performers, hip-hop, and urban visual artists. It was probably most popular for its poetry slams.
Neighborhood clubs such as Anotha Level @ Lit-X and the Guild Complex at the Chopin Theater, 1543 W Division St, offered weekly and monthly poetry competitions, commonly called "slams."
A 1993 article by Leah Eskin noted Chicago's first one-stop hip-hop shop will be ready to bop Saturday. Triple XXX, an equal mix of rap, jazz, and reggae outlet, gear shop, politically correct bookstore, classroom, and poetry center, is taking over the empty Rainbow Donuts storefront.
"What brings us together is not just the music; it's the culture, youth uprising—it gives us a common ground," says Bobby Sox (Norbert Caillouet), 32, one of five friends who schemed to open their hip-hop haven to share the hip-hop ideal of racial harmony, multicultural understanding, and good music.
A 1997 article by Rosalind Cummings-Yeates reported, "Every two weeks, we would clear out all the books and incense and throw hip-hop parties," said Kendell Lloyd, 29, owner of Another Level @ Lit-X, which has become the epicenter of Chicago's hip-hop and poetry movement.
He opened the bookstore five years ago with a lofty goal in mind. "Our mission was to link hip-hop and knowledge together," Lloyd said. "I wanted young brothers and sisters to read."
The video was recorded in 1993 by video maker Doug Sawyer gathering footage of everyday Chicagoans for a television show. "Chicago Slices" was a local, Chicago-based television series from the 1990s that featured short videos about interesting and offbeat local people. It aired on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on channel 50.
Post credit Ryan Anthony The West Town Kid
facebook.com/reel/752151157…
Video courtesy of Doug Sawyer, Chicago Slices.
See comments for Google Street View.
#Chicago #Gentrification #Bucktown
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@giannax46 Cause I wanted to grow to make my own blanks eventually but that is super good feedback. Love Made.
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@JoeFreshgoods how come you switched and don’t use MADE sweatpant blanks? I miss the hidden zipper pocket and leg structure with the recent rec center drop
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Snobette’s Sneaker of the Year list features 10 shoes that stood out over the past year. We start by assembling a short list of pairs that we viewed as special, then turn to our panelists to help shape the final ranking and surface sneakers that may have flown under our radar.
We’re always excited to champion shoes designed by women, but that’s not a prerequisite. What matters most is impact. For the No. 1 spot, the sneaker had to do more than generate buzz. It needed to resonate, reflect the moment, and carry a point of view strong enough to walk with us into the year ahead.
Our panelists are all women from an array of backgrounds, united by a deep, long-standing relationship with sneakers and the culture surrounding them. This isn’t a trend for them and it’s not performative. They’ve been in it, building, shaping and living it.
We’re grateful to @Cruziiie, @TicaraDevone, Lee Glandorf, @key2ursole, @JerLisa_Nicole and @SmooveTheSource, whose day-to-day lives are intertwined with sneaker culture through design, journalism, community organizing, and content creation. (Stayed tuned for each of their lists.)
Check out our top 10 sneakers for 2025 below.
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You know what we gotta do @newbalance
Nick DePaula@NickDePaula
Stephen Curry arrives in the Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 2010 tonight
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@karidaniels @newbalance You smoked this man, happy holidays my boy!
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JFG retweetledi
I appreciate reading this. I know people probably look at my appreciation for @JoeFreshgoods as Chicago bias and maybe it started there. But I appreciate the story telling, him staying true to Chicago and not leaving. Thread for thread I honestly believe he drops a top 10 sneaker every year.
Urban Syndicate@The_UrbanSyn
The New Balance 2010 “Bag Lady” is a pair that’s really grown on me over the last month. At first, it didn’t feel particularly inspired, but the more time I’ve spent with it, the more the details hit. The recycled wool blend, the subtle textures, the small accessories, it all comes together in a way that makes the release feel intentional and perfectly timed. Not too hyped and a silhouette I haven’t seen get enough attention. I think the big pivot here for me was watching JFG on the @complexsneakers podcast, my appreciation for him has gone through the roof. Maybe it’s because we’re here in the UK and don’t get the same level of day-to-day exposure, but hearing him talk about his process, his influences, and the meaning behind his work opened up a lot of thought. I’ll definitely be diving back into the archives and picking up some apparel too, there’s a lot more substance behind the brand than I initially realised.
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Yall def need to visit Chicago in NY. Joe Rec Room pop up is dope. 291 Grand Street LES
I been shopping wit folks for like 18 years. That’s crazy. I don’t really call many a big bro. Good catching up @JoeFreshgoods
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JFG retweetledi
.@JoeFreshgoods says he has the keys to longevity in this business, check out the last episode of the Complex Sneakers Podcast 👟
WATCH HERE: youtu.be/07MDHAyP8IU
YouTube
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JFG retweetledi
Just watched a private screening for a @JoeFreshgoods documentary with New Balance. It showed a raw and personal side that you almost never see in this business with the exception of Virgil Abloh. It’s easy to see why this partnership has been successful; hopefully the documentary comes out to the public.
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