<\/figure>\n\n\n\nKirschner, 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 <\/figure>\n\n\n\n\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 <\/figure>\n\n\n\nJust 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 <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe 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\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThe goal of Hometeam is to amplify the culture of Seattle through sport,\u201d Kirschner added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With collaborations, partnerships, and art shows with Seattle legends like Sue Bird, Jamal Crawford, and Isaiah Thomas, Hometeam also celebrates broader Seattle culture, including Filson CC, Nirvana photographer Charles Peterson, local artists like CHITO and old school car meets led by Wreckless Whips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c[Hometeam] is about building back and creating the cultural community of Seattle and give people a place to say, \u2018[t]his is what real Seattle is about.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kirschner, who previously worked at Rock, Paper Scissors, Goods, Capital 1524, Trickwood, and other Seattle boutiques, aims for Hometeam to be the cultural hub he remembers from sneaker campouts and release days, which inspired his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cSneaker campouts were another school; we were learning in those lines,\u201d he reflected. \u201cAlthough campouts aren\u2019t as much a thing anymore, we\u2019re creating a space for kids and everyone to hang out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey can learn how to cook, learn about sneakers, marketing, and design along with interacting with the OGs of the town. We\u2019re here to teach and give you opportunities to learn,\u201d Kirschner added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a journeyman in the industry and a savant with a pulse on the culture, Kirschner and the rest of Hometeam know the importance of the modern sneaker landscape and the role that the boutique and Seattle have at the plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKids and consumers don\u2019t want things or shoes just to buy them, they want experiences that are authentic to them and their community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nWith accounts like Nike, Jordan, New Balance, Vans, Saucony, PUMA, and their cut-and-sew apparel line, Hometeam connects with the community beyond retail. The boutique partners with Isaiah Thomas and two-time Cy Young-winner Blake Snell to support youth teams with Hometeam\u2019s stamp of authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A little over a year old, Hometeam\u2019s journey and legacy are just getting started. But for Kirschner, the store and its essence have lived up to the expectations of representing Seattle to the fullest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI may not have played in the NBA but leaving Seattle and then going and doing what I\u2019ve done in the industry, I still have the pride for where I\u2019m from; I\u2019m part of the Hometeam,\u201d Kirschner said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeattle to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nStay tuned to Snkrs Day<\/a> on Instagram for the latest news and sneaker release dates<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Seattle is filled with legends, cemented in history from unparalleled creativity to shaping the city’s cultural identity. From Kurt Cobain…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":328301,"featured_media":1287099,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1261504],"cultivate_rss":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
How Hometeam Celebrates Seattle Through Sneaker Culture, Italian Cuisine | Snkrs Day<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n