{"id":1287085,"date":"2024-10-18T13:17:30","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T18:17:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=1287085"},"modified":"2024-10-18T13:17:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T18:17:32","slug":"how-hometeam-celebrates-seattle-through-sneaker-culture-italian-cuisine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/how-hometeam-celebrates-seattle-through-sneaker-culture-italian-cuisine\/","title":{"rendered":"“Seattle to The World”: How Hometeam is a Love Letter to the 206 Through Sneaker Culture and Italian Cuisine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Seattle is filled with legends, cemented in history from unparalleled creativity to shaping the city’s cultural identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Kurt Cobain to Jimi Hendrix dominating the music industry to Bruce Lee and Seattle’s renowned Chinatown-International District, the Emerald City has been a gem, a beacon in pop culture and multiple genres for decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in the heart of Seattle\u2019s historic Pioneer Square is Hometeam Seattle<\/a> \u2014 a high-end Italian restaurant, art gallery, and sneaker boutique that stands as a testament to the city and enduring legacy of creativity and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHometeam is a collective of Seattle people all trying to give back and put on for the community,\u201d said Ben Kirschner, a former Nike veteran and a member of Hometeam\u2019s founding trinity. \u201cThe main reason we started was that there are sneaker stores in Seattle, but none of them are from here and cater to the city as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kirschner, who joined forces with other Seattle natives Marcus Lalario and Dustin Winegardener, wanted Hometeam\u2019s foundation rooted in one principle: the Seattle community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe wanted to make a store for the people and of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before launching Hometeam, Kirschner\u2019s footprint in Seattle and sneaker culture was significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a student at the University of Washington, he interned at Nike, Inc. with the legendary Jesse Leyva. The same Jesse Leyva behind some of the most iconic special projects and energy initiatives, including the \u201cOstrich\u201d Stussy x Nike Dunk High, KAWS x Nike Air Force 1, the Opium x Nike Air Max 180, and so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kirschner\u2019s Jumpman and Swoosh portfolio is equally impressive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From DJ Clark Kent\u2019s \u201cAF-1 Boroughs pack\u201d collection to the fragment x Air Jordan 1 High to the Supreme x Air Jordan 5 and Nike Supreme Air More Uptempo, the \u201cSlam Dunk\u201d Air Jordan 6, the Eminem x Air Jordan 4, Travis Scott x PlayStation Dunk, the Don C x Air Jordan 2 and the list goes on. Kirschner has been a part of numerous culturally game-changing collabs, special projects, and inline models, such as the Jordan Future and Nike Special Force Air Force 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After focusing on product, he led influencer marketing at Nike, working with high-profile athletes from an off-court style perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following his run at Nike, Kirschner expanded his ventures, focusing on Benny’s, his own consulting agency that focuses on creative direction, design, and is his overall personal creative outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of his passion for design can be found celebrating Seattle through Hometeam. The boutique\u2019s name was inspired by Seattle legend Jamal Crawford, whom Kirschner reveres as the \u201cmayor of Seattle\u201d and likens to the city\u2019s version of Michael Jordan. Without hesitation, he claims J Crossover is superior to His Airness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe idea of Hometeam is because of Jamal Crawford,\u201d Kirschner stated. \u201cIf you came up in Seattle and you\u2019re a good basketball player, he has this clique they label \u2018Hometeam.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with Crawford, Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson then Isaiah Thomas, and others, \u201cHometeam\u201d members reportedly bonded through basketball and a shared tattoo  \u2014 a crest that served as inspiration for Kirschner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transitioning from Nike\u2019s high-energy projects to reinvesting in his roots, Kirschner and his team are leveraging their connections and the appeal of the award-winning Darkalino\u2019s and Hometeam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Just two months before MLB\u2019s All-Star Game hit Seattle in 2023, Hometeam transformed from an idea into a reality, opening its doors with an installation showcasing Hall of Fame-level sneakers throughout baseball history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometeam\u2019s design, crafted by Olson Kundig, architect of Nike\u2019s LeBron James building, is centered on real bleachers from a local high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The empty shelves became a stage that told the story of baseball through sneakers and cleats, from Ken Griffey Jr.\u2019s rookie cleats to Derek Jeter\u2019s World Series Air Jordans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n