Spring St. to become sneaker central

Two boutiques are slated to open on Spring Street in September.

Gustavo and Andrea Serrano, the co-owners of King Street's B'zar, are launching Suite Sole, a storefront devoted almost entirely to sneakers.

Located at 47 1/2 Spring St., Suite Sole will offer designer sneakers for adults and children.

"People love sneakers, but it's been hard to carry a lot of shoes at B'zar because of storage issues," said Gustavo Serrano.

The new, 580-square-foot boutique will help remedy that problem. Patrons will find the space well-stocked with limited-edition footwear from Nike, along with shoes from hard-to-find brands such as Alife, according to Serrano. Most of these designs aren't available anywhere else in the state, he said.

Suite Sole, expected to open Sept. 20, will be located next to already established Continuum, a skate shop that also offers rare designer sneakers. Serrano said he hopes the two stores will grow in business together and attract a similar clientele.

"People can come to Spring Street for all their sneaker stuff," he said.

On Sept. 13, rlee Collection, a retail and studio space for handbag designer Robin Lee Simmons, will open for business. Located next to Suite Sole at 47-A Spring St., the boutique will offer purses made from such materials as genuine feathers and bamboo.

In the past, Copper Penny and The Finicky Filly have sold handbags from rlee Collection.

Although the shop is slightly off the beaten path, Kristin Blum, the company's marketing director, said the retailer is happy with the location.

"We're just around the corner from Upper King," she said.

Susan Lucas, the official coordinator for the Upper King Design District, considers the two new retail spaces part and parcel of the growing design district.

"As gentrification goes north, so do we," said Lucas. "They are definitely part of our group and part of the district."

Retail radar

Pierre Deux: The national chain is launching a Charleston location at 279 King St. Specializing in French country furnishings, the store is set to open Sept. 4.

Reach Bridget Herman at 937-5582 or bherman@postandcourier.com.