Sidekicks sneaker and apparel shop opens in Avondale at 400 41st St. S.

Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
Welcome to Sidekicks. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

Birmingham’s boutique game just gained a player. Sidekicks, a sneaker and modern streetwear boutique founded by Alabama natives Joseph Bradley and Bonaventure Akinlosotu, is open for business in Avondale.

“The name Sidekicks isn’t only a play on sneakers (also called kicks). It’s also the idea of looking at our customers as superheroes and our products as the sidekicks that complement them.”

Bradley
Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
All storefronts at 400 41st Street South boast these beautiful wood doors. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

You’ll find Sidekicks next-door to Cookie Dough Magic and Arcadia salon in a new development known by its address, 400 41st Street South.

Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
Joseph Bradley, cofounder of Sidekicks. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

With sleek glass storefronts and beautiful natural wood doors, you might not guess the building’s history. It was originally a Gulf gas station in the 1930s and, in more modern history, the Painted Shovel Mercantile antique shop.

Sidekicks Backstory

So why sneakers and streetwear? The idea was born about four years ago.

“We noticed that Avondale was very popular as far as bars and food, and we really wanted to add a little bit of retail to the area.”

Bradley
Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
Apparel by The Quiet Life out of L.A. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

Through Sidekicks, the founders hope to build relationships in the community and shine a light on a culture they feel doesn’t get a lot of face time in Birmingham. They also strive to provide accessible streetwear at reasonable prices and to be a place where customers can discover new brands. 

“We want the store to be about fun and discovery. Some of the brands we will carry might not be super familiar to our customers, but we feel they’re from cool people and cool designers.”

Bradley

Interior Design

Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
We love the Eames-style chairs and AstroTurf—both 1960s throwbacks in Sidekicks’ minimalist design. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

Design Initiative, based in Birmingham, helped Bradley and Akinlosotu bring their retail vision to life. 

 “We wanted to keep it minimalist with a gallery feel, where the product is the main focus. We felt the space, with the windows and the concrete, already lent itself to that.”

Bradley
Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
Wooden wine boxes used as display cases tie into the look of the front door. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

The Brands

Right now, the store carries three brands, though they will carry more in the future.

Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
Apparel by The Quiet Life. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now.
  • The Quiet Life, an apparel brand out of L.A., by Andy Mueller. “He does the orders. He does the design and the look book,” Bradley said. “So it’s a one- or two-man shop out there, but they’ve got good-quality products and cool designs.”
  • Saucony, a classic sneaker brand.“They’re the first sneaker brand to give us a shot.”
  • Rastaclat, an accessory brand, also out of L.A. This brand is all about Rasta culture and positive vibes. (Bob Marley, anyone?)
Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S, rasta culture
Accessories by Rastaclat. Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

Price Points

General price points, according to Bradley, are as follows.

  • T-shirts: $30-$45
  • Hoodies and sweaters: $70-$100
  • Windbreakers and jackets: $90-$120
  • Sneakers: $60-$150
Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale, Sidekicks, Sneaker Shop, 400 41st St S
Photo by Terri Robertson for Bham Now

Bradley and Akinlosotu are both alumni of the University of Alabama class of 2011. In 2016, they attended CO.STARTERS, a 10-week business development program through Create Birmingham, to develop the idea for Sidekicks.

Related: Alchemy213 opens its new location in Five Points South.

Rushing Waters
Rushing Waters
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