July 20, 2022

By Makenzie Huber, for SiouxFalls.Business

A high-end sneaker store and boutique has opened in downtown Sioux Falls.

Preach-es, which is on the first floor of the newly renovated Johnson Building at 11th Street and Second Avenue, focuses on streetwear, rare sneakers and high-end apparel at what the owners call competitive prices. The business also carries designer clothes, bags and wallets.

Customers can purchase a VIP experience, which includes a 30-minute stylist session and one-hour VIP lounge access with complimentary beverages, including champagne. High-quality photos of the shopping experience also are included in the package, as well as a chance at being featured on the business’ Instagram, which already has nearly 23,000 followers.

The store brings a new experience to Sioux Falls, said owner Jonathon Vazquez. It also adds a male-focused boutique to downtown Sioux Falls, which is flooded with female-focused boutiques, he noted.

“We wanted to build a community of like-minded people who are passionate about streetwear culture and fashion,” Vazquez said, adding that young professionals moving to Sioux Falls are interested in the type of clothing Preach-es is selling. “We wanted to provide a space to feel welcome and experience something they haven’t had yet in Sioux Falls but that they’d get at a high-end store in New York, LA or Miami.”

Assisting Vazquez with the business are Abraham Perez, COO, and Tyler Blake, owner of Wake, who also serves as chief marketing officer for Preach-es.

Vazquez is a pastor who came to Sioux Falls from California six years ago and decided to follow his passion for clothing and sneakers in starting a business.

“Our slogan is ‘Practice what you preach.’ Whatever you’re talking about, make sure you’re living it,” Vazquez said.

The opening of the store will help “bridge the gap” of fashion in the region. Sioux Falls is a few years behind the fashion culture in larger urban areas, Vazquez said. He’s hoping Preach-es will help push Sioux Falls and South Dakota “in regards to our fashion trends.”

He plans to hold forums and workshops about fashion and the brands carried in the store, contributing to fashion education in the city. Preach-es will hold one educational event a month, Vazquez said.

“It’s not just who we wear but who we are. What we wear tells a lot about our story,” Vazquez said. “We’re holding those events to help people understand the brands we carry. The stories behind those brands are why we carry them.”

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.