Located on the posh strip of Walnut Street known as Rittenhouse Row, Ubiq is a sanctuary of retro-mod style and design. An independent boutique that specializes in men’s and women’s vintage sneakers, Ubiq is a must-visit for any sneaker-, style- or design-aficionado.
The proprietors of Ubiq have tapped the store's design to highlight the rarity and quality of its offerings. They recently hired the renowned architect Rafael de Cardenas to renovate the interior space and the results are nothing less than striking.
The main room is awash in black and white with sneakers lining the walls from front to back. One wall is mirrored so as to make for optimal observation of the sneaker (or sneakers) that strike your fancy.
Ubiq's design is big on juxtaposition. The back room, which holds clothing and accessories, is dramatically different from the sleek, pseudo-futuristic concept of the main room. Instead, you enter what looks like the drawing room of an early 20th-century brownstone, complete with a gorgeous ornate fireplace and dark-stained hardwood floors.
As for product, while the shoes are clearly the focus at Ubiq, the clothing and accessories don’t exactly play second fiddle. The menswear is typically of a limited release and invariably from standout lines and designers. The T-shirt selection is always incredibly impressive.
Meanwhile, you can’t find many of the shoes displayed here anywhere else on the east coast, including the eponymous line of sneakers made just for the store.
So stop in, check it out and we’re guessing that, before long, you will have found a pair of kicks that you just can’t put down. (Go ahead. Treat yourself. You deserve it.)