Black youth-owned shoe store in Kansas City seeks help after break-in, inventory taken
The Black youth-owned shoe and clothing store One Pair KC is asking for help replacing inventory stolen after a break-in this week.
The store, located at 5511 Troost Avenue in Kansas City, is run by teenagers and is a place where they buy, sell, clean and customize shoes. The store has set up a page on the fundraising site GoFundMe.
The crime occurred as the store was approaching its one year anniversary, KJ Farmer, the organizer of the fundraiser, said on the fundraising page.
“We were robbed of more than monetary value,” Farmer wrote. “Our livelihood was taken from us too. This store was for the community and it hurts to see what we created taken away so carelessly.”
Farmer said that those involved in One Pair KC worked hard to provide a space for Kansas City’s youth, pouring countless hours and their souls into creating the business.
“Help us build our dream back up and keep inner city youth off the street,” Farmer said. “Everyone wants a chance and One Pair was that chance.”
On the fundraising page, Farmer highlighted the store’s achievements in the past year including its education center, which was built during the pandemic for kids who lacked such resources as WiFi for schoolwork and tutoring.
“We offered a place where they can feel safe and know that someone cares,” Farmer said.
The store has also given away more than 100 pairs of shoes to the community as part of its outreach.
“More than anyone we understand it takes so much for vendors and entrepreneurs to get businesses off the ground and into store fronts such as Macy’s, Dillard’s and Nordstrom,” Farmer said. “One Pair offers local brands the opportunity to sell in store to gain exposure. We were all effected by this misfortune.”
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 9:12 AM.
