SWEET SNEAKERS. Duane Perkins, owner of Drip Kickz, moved to Eau Claire after seeing its lack of styles like the ones present in his store.

Sneakers have become increasingly popular across the world, with enthusiasts dubbing themselves “sneakerheads.” Local sneakerhead and Drip Kickz owner, Duane Perkins a.k.a. “Drip Daddy,” saw a gap in the sneaker businesses in Eau Claire. 

Drip Kickz opened on Water Street in March 2021, becoming one of the only sneaker boutiques in the area. With several walls full of today’s most popular shoes along with well-known clothing brands, Drip Kickz has made a name for itself for being unlike any other business in the area.

“I love to see people’s reaction when they find stuff like this in Eau Claire,” Perkins said. “People who can’t make those drives to Minneapolis or Milwaukee for these styles, but they really wanted it. That’s the best part.”

Drip Kickz already has a loyal client base, partly due to its monthly raffles. Every purchase at Drip Kickz enters you into a raffle, and at the end of the month, Duane chooses a random customer to receive a free pair of shoes.

Duane also prides himself on keeping his sneaker prices lower than the average online retailer. He understands that great style doesn’t always have to break the bank. Perkins said he became interested in sneakers when he was a kid, because his mom always put him into very cool and unique sneakers. As he grew up, he became a sneakerhead and decided to move from Milwaukee to Eau Claire to pursue his dream of opening his own store. 

In the future, Perkins wants to create a Drip Kickz podcast that covers topics ranging from new releases in the store to shoe repair and maintenance. 

To learn more about Drip Kickz, you can check them out on Facebook or visit them at 411 Water St., Eau Claire.