By Mikey Eckstein

The Michigan Sneaker Xchange is in town! Not only can you discover the hottest sneakers in the game, but you’ll also have the chance to meet Detroit’s most influential figures. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

I recently had a chat with the Founder, Jake Schreier. Here's a bit of our conversation:

ME: At what age did you sell or trade your 1st pair of sneakers?
JS: I started reselling sneakers at the age of 11-12 - I had a huge passion for sneakers, specifically Nike SB's at the time, and loved how rare and collectible some pairs were. I wanted to obtain more and more shoes, and realized I could use the online Facebook marketplaces I was a part of to sell pairs, turn a slight profit, and use the profit to purchase more shoes I wanted for myself.

ME: How did the Michigan Sneaker Xchange come about?
JS: Michigan Sneaker XChange came about from an already-built local Facebook community + the demand for an in-person, safe event to conduct transactions. The Facebook group that everyone would conduct local business in was called Buying and Selling Kicks Detroit. You could post a pair of shoes for sale, or post looking for a pair. I was 14 at the time, and saw an influx of sneaker events around the country, but none in Michigan. Myself and a few friends teamed up and threw the first Michigan Sneaker XChange event in 2013 at Modern Skate Park in Royal Oak. I had gained a slight following on Facebook from buying and selling, and had met a lot of local people from it. I made sure to reach out to any and everyone I knew for our first event. The first event hosted around 150 people and 40 vendors, and was the largest sneaker tradeshow to take place in Michigan. I knew there was so much potential to build the event even further.

ME: Is it strictly sneakers at this event or other collectibles as well?
JS: Michigan Sneaker XChange is Michigan's premier sneaker & streetwear tradeshow - sneakers & streetwear go hand-in-hand, as many sneakerheads also want to put on a fresh outfit when they put on a nice pair of shoes. Brands like Supreme and Bape have been iconic in the sneaker and streetwear scene throughout the past few decades. Since then, so many new brands have popped up, such as Denim Tears, Hellstar, Essentials, and more. Throughout the years, the events have expanded to be majority sneakers with some streetwear mixed in, as well as local clothing brands, vintage clothing sellers, and a few home goods/accessories vendors that are related to the sneaker and streetwear world.

ME: What are some of the coolest sneakers you have seen come thru this event?
JS: It's hard to name all of the pairs I've seen at the events over the years, but the craziest pairs I've seen were definitely all at our March 2024 event. Our Chicago vendors especially brought out some insane pairs! From the Nike SB What the Dunk, to the Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s, to the Nike SB Lobster set (multiple colorways have released over the years, but the yellow sample pair and white friends & family pair fetch over $30,000 each - both were present at the last Michigan Sneaker XChange)!

ME: Sneakers and Hip Hop go hand and hand what Hip Hop artists have been to the Michigan Sneaker Xchange in the past?
JS: We always host so many familiar and new faces at each event. Just to name a few - Babyface Ray, Baby Money, Allstar JR, Veeze, and many others have stopped by over the years. We create a safe and fun shopping environment for all to enjoy. Many local celebrities like to stop by to get some shopping done, and also appreciate the positive, safe atmosphere we've created at the events.

ME: Who are some of your music influences?
JS: I don't have too many music influences, honestly. I try to take slight influence from people/things I like, and put my own spin on it to make it original.

ME: Where do you see the Michigan Sneaker Xchange event going in the future?
JS: Michigan Sneaker XChange has seen a huge level of growth over the past few years, the past year since our 10th anniversary especially. While we'll be introducing our Grand Rapids event for the first time this year, I think the possibilities are endless. Without saying too much... I think it's time we replicate our event formula elsewhere for me people to enjoy!

ME: What Detroit celebs would you love to see attend in the near future?
JS: There's so many Detroit celebrities we'd love to see at MSXC events - Jared Goff is definitely our top-pick sports wise, as well as Cade Cunningham. Also, Icewear Vezzo, Skilla Baby, Tee Grizzley, and many more. I wouldn't say it's a matter of if they attend, but more so when. My goal is to get everyone in the state to be able to experience the events I put on.

ME: How often does the Michigan Sneaker Xchange take place?
JS: Michigan Sneaker XChange takes place 3 times per year in Detroit - typically March, July, and December. Additionally, we do at least 1 other collaborative night-time event, and will be introducing our Grand Rapids event this year. We're looking forward to expanding our event to the west side of the state and giving them an experience they've never seen before. Fingers crossed, we will be returning there at least 1-2 times per year!

For Tickets & Vendor information visit: https://www.michigansneakerxchange.com/