About Us

A foundation for the future

A New Era

On February 1st, 2010, Sole Classics was purchased by Dionte' Johnson, a former Ohio State football captain and Columbus native. Johnson continues to own and operate the business to this day. This change in ownership represents a significant milestone in the history of the store and its growing presence outside of Central Ohio.

A staple in the neighborhood

Prime Time

In early 2014, Sole Classics relocated from its original address at 765 North High Street to its current location at 846 North High Street. This move allowed the shop to double in size and presented a new opportunity for Sole Classics to grow its brand roster and service offerings. The new address birthed shop services such as delivery, sneaker cleaning, in-store pick-up, and more.

Failure is never final

6391 Sawmill

In the beginning of 2017, Sole Classics took a significant step forward, launching its second establishment, known as Sole Classics Dublin. This new location represented a major achievement in the company's history, offering the chance to connect with and serve a fresh community while maintaining proximity to its roots. In a nod to Irish traditions, the standout feature of this location was its cash register area, designed like a bar at a pub, complete with a fully operational tap dispensing complimentary root beer throughout the week, from opening to closing time.

It was written

Midwest Coast

The summer of 2017 marked a super exciting moment for Sole Classics as the brand ventured beyond the city limits! Setting up a temporary pop-up shop in what was prophetically named the "Midwest Coast." This pop-up was all about showcasing the next three footwear projects, made in cahoots with longtime family over at Vans. Having already teamed up on four Vault projects before this both agreed on the opportunity to take the show on the road for a month-long retail experience full of footwear, merchandise, and Midwestern spirit.

This pop-up paradise sat right on the corner of the legendary Fairfax and Rosewood in sunny Los Angeles, a spot made famous by the streetwear giants, "The Hundreds." It was exactly what collaboration should be.

From the Short North to SOHO

A Kenmare Experience

Having taken a unique break from collaborating with Vans, Sole Classics found itself back in the game in the summer of 2019. Sole Classics was presented with a golden opportunity to follow up their successful West Coast pop-up by putting on an encore performance on the East Coast, right in the heart of New York City.

This time around, the collection paid homage to Ohio's profound influence on the music industry, particularly the funky sounds that had a lasting impact and served as a wellspring of inspiration for future generations. Sole Classics didn't just open up shop anywhere; it set up camp in the trendy SOHO neighborhood on Kenmare Street. This week-long extravaganza featured a wide array of offerings, including footwear, Sole Classics branded goodies, and an extraordinary vintage collection that was truly out of this world.

Building for the future

Shifting Directions

Change was in the air, and it was time to give the Short North location of Sole Classics a much-needed makeover. Dublin had set the bar high, and it was high time to bring the same level of style to Central Ohio. The catch? The challenge was as old as the hills, dealing with a century-old building showing its age. However, the team tackled it head-on.

After several months of intense renovation work, Sole Classics, previously occupying 848 and 846 N. High Street, was ready to embrace a fresh look in its new digs at 846 and 844. The space now boasted an open floorplan, elegant floor-to-ceiling windows, and a bunch of swanky new features. The new storefront quietly opened its doors just before the Christmas of 2019, though the project wasn't quite complete. And thanks to an unexpected global pandemic it wouldn't receive an official Grand Re-Opening until later in the Summer.

A new space for a familiar voice

For Her

Sole Classics embarked on the latest phase of its journey in the Short North area during the winter of 2022. This time around, the brand was able to reclaim and expand into its spot at 848 N. High Street with a fresh twist, introducing a brand-new space exclusively designed for women. Sole Classics Her, covering 1,200 square feet, radiates elegance and charm, offering a curated selection of the finest women's fashion brands and the trendiest footwear from around the globe.