Local sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts no longer need to travel to a big city or scour the internet for the latest “hype” gear.
Xclusive Apparel 319 officially will open its doors with a grand opening at 9:30 a.m. Monday at 1501 Osborn St., with trendy, highly-sought-after clothing and shoe brands.
The shop — where a free throw basketball shot can possibly save you hundreds, more on that later — is the brainchild of owner-operators Corey Davis, a Burlington native, and his business partner Ponce Garza, who moved to Burlington from the San Francisco Bay Area.
The two friends are turning a shared passion for “urban trendy” fashion into a unique and high-end retail experience. They aim to fill a void in the local market, bringing “hypebeast” culture and luxury urban apparel to the community.
Customers are met by a cheery, colorful wall painted with designer logos. The wall also displays pristine Jordan Brand sneakers, carefully wrapped in plastic to keep them “fresh” for collectors.
For Davis, this isn’t just inventory — it’s a lifelong obsession.
“I’ve got a passion for shoes. This is my love,” said Davis, who owns 100 pairs.
Davis explained the all-new footwear on display represents highly sought-after collector items rarely found in local brick-and-mortar shops.
As for Xclusive Apparel 319, “I was just thinking one day, like, I know my addiction to the shoes and like, I’m getting all these shoes, you know, why not buy them and sell them?” said Davis. He explained he mentioned the idea to Garza, also an avid shoe collector who had been talking to his wife about that very idea.
While Davis and Garza both handle all inventory, Garza brings his knowledge of coastal trends to the clothing side of the business.
Stocked with brands that are dominating the scene, the colorful racks are like a “who’s who” of modern fashion. Labels include Chrome Hearts, Billionaire Boys Club (founded by Pharrell Williams), Hellstar, and Bathing Ape (BAPE), which is hard to find new due to limited releases and high demand.
The items also have a high resale value.
“People love the hype,” Garza explained. “Around this area, you can’t really find that unless you go online. We’re trying to bring this to Burlington so people don’t have to go online to get it — they can come to the store and see it physically.”
The inventory also includes popular women’s brands like Alo and Lululemon, as well as niche labels like Denim Tears and “An Awful Lot of Cough Syrup”—a Los Angeles-born brand that has become a staple in urban designer trends.
The name originated from a viral video, where a police officer says to Desto Dubb, “That’s an awful lot of cough syrup; you must be sick or something.”
Dubb started his clothing business by making about 12 shirts at a time and selling them in Los Angeles parking lots. He eventually grew the venture into a multimillion-dollar company with storefronts, helped by famous rappers wearing his brand.
TAKE A GAMBLE
Xclusive Apparel 319 isn’t just looking to sell clothes; Davis and Garza want to build a community.
To celebrate their grand opening on Monday, the two are offering a high-stakes promotion: every customer gets a chance to shoot a basket for 50% off their entire purchase.
The “gambling” element will continue even after opening day.
For future purchases over $500, customers can choose to “take the gamble.” If they make the shot, they get the items at half price. If they miss, they pay an extra $100.
“We’re trying to make it fun,” said Davis. “A lot of people like to try things, and who wouldn’t want to try and get 50% off?”
Garza agrees that the interactive element is key to their vision. “We want people to feel like they aren’t just coming solely to shop. We want them to have a little fun with it,” he said.
The shop’s aesthetic is highlighted by the “drippy” letters spelling out the business name on the windows.
“Drip,” explained Garza, is a slang compliment meaning you are wearing a stylish, fashionable or high-quality outfit.
“When you have it on, (people say) oh, you dripped out. You got drip on,” he said.
All inventory is new, but the two explained they may, in the future, buy used labels from locals, and then sell them at a discount. They also are considering adding more selections, like purses and accessories.
When the two started a Facebook page and word got out about Xclusive Apparel 319, people reacted with enthusiasm. A video they posted on Wednesday has gotten more than 100 likes and 20 shares (as of Thursday morning.)
Check their Facebook page, Xclusive Apparel 319 to learn more.
Hours are: Monday- Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.