SOLES FOR THE SOUL

Joshua Beniek can still remember it like it was yesterday.

“My brother Shane and I were getting ready to go into Barrington Middle School,” recalls Beniek. “We were at Woodfield Mall and both wanted a pair of basketball shoes that we could wear as an everyday shoe.”

Beniek returned home that day with a pair of pricey Nike LeBron Southern Soldier shoes in a bright turquoise and orange color, adding to the growing collection in his closet. He also returned home that day with a kernel of an idea that was to be the beginning of the brothers’ company, Highest Sneakers & Clothing.

“We wore those shoes to school for a couple of months until we realized we could actually sell them on eBay for more than what we had paid for them,” remembers Beniek with a smile. “So yes, the foundations of our business, Highest Sneakers & Clothing store, started all the way back then.”

Previously located at 115 North Northwest Highway in Barrington, Highest Sneakers & Clothing now serves as one of the premier online shoe retail sites, offering a selection of shoes ranging anywhere from $100 to $4,000 in price at thehighestofficial.com.

“The retail space was amazing when we had it, and we’re so grateful for the support of the community,” says Beniek, who alongside his brother will attend the University of Tampa this fall. “But growing thehighestofficial.com is something we are focused on for now. We want our customers to know that they are getting high-end shoes at a good price.”

Granted, while customers of thehighestofficial.com can be confident in knowing that the Beniek brothers are working hard to keep their inventory as affordable as possible, their main goal is to bring in the most high-end shoes on the market right now.

Take for example the Nike Air Force 1 Low Tiffany & Co. shoes they currently have in stock which run around $4,000. Or the few pairs of the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG Olive shoes that can run anywhere from $800 to $1,000 depending on the size that they are carrying currently.

“While most of our customers are buying shoes to wear, we also have numerous customers who love to purchase sneakers as investments, betting that they go up in price over time,” explains Beniek, who hopes to return to Barrington after college graduation and open a storefront here, while also opening an additional storefront in Florida.

He lets out a laugh. “It’s truly crazy what some people spend on shoes.”

And no matter where life takes them, the Beniek brother’s excitement about shoes is sure to never waver.

“I’ll never forget when I got my hands on my first pair of Doernbecher shoes,” remembers Beniek. “I couldn’t wait to tell our customers about them because I just knew someone would love to purchase them.” Since 2004, Nike has teamed up with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital with the Doernbecher Freestyle initiative. Every year, Nike collaborates with a select few OHSU Doernbecher pediatric patients to craft motivational designs in footwear, apparel, and equipment. This one-of-a-kind collaboration has raised over $33 million to help cover the cost of care for families in need, expand pioneering research, and support specialized care. These shoes are extremely limited and range in price from $200-$2,500. Truly soles that are good for the soul.

For more information, visit thehighestofficial.com.