30 Dec Exclusive Shoes Steps Out of Richmond: A Q&A With Owner Jason Drisker

Jason Drisker is the owner of Exclusive Shoes. (Pulse file photo)

Interview, Malcolm Marshall 

Editor’s note: After a decade as a staple for local sneaker enthusiasts, Exclusive Shoes has closed its Richmond location. Owner Jason Drisker is moving the shoe resale shop to Sacramento. In this interview, Drisker reflects on the store’s beginnings, its impact on the community, and why he decided to move on.

Contra Costa Pulse: What led you to open Exclusive Shoes in Richmond 10 years ago, and what did you hope the store would bring to the community?

Jason Drisker: I opened the store to create business opportunities for my family. I hoped it would turn into a fixture in the community, like the post office or a local cleaners. To my surprise, it did.

Contra Costa Pulse: After a decade here, what made you decide it was time to close the Richmond location and move the store to Sacramento? 

JD: I live in Sacramento, and the commute became really difficult. It was also hard to find help that could scale the business and be trusted. Even when I found a good person, they often had other dreams and goals. Eventually, the good ones would go off to college or move away. On top of that, the economy took a real dive, and sales dropped by half.

Contra Costa Pulse: What has been the most rewarding part of running Exclusive Shoes in Richmond, and what will you miss most about your customers here?

JD: The most rewarding part was helping people get jobs. One year, we donated toys to the GRIP shelter in Richmond, and we also did a few backpack giveaways. Those were the best moments.

Contra Costa Pulse: Can you share a specific moment or interaction with a Richmond customer that captures what this store has meant to you over the years?

JD: I can’t narrow it down to one transaction but definitely had moments where we helped people after fires or burglary, and that felt good, to be a genuine help to someone in need.

Contra Costa Pulse: You dealt with several break-ins and other challenges over the years. How did those experiences affect you and the business, and what helped you keep going?

JD: The break-ins definitely made it hard to continue. Each time, it just took the will to continue away, and each time, you always knew that they were going to come back, so it made us not want to carry high-end merchandise anymore. Also, insurance dropped us from coverage.

Contra Costa Pulse: How have you seen sneaker culture and the local retail scene change during your time in Richmond?

JD: It’s changed a lot, but that’s the nature of the culture. New trends are always evolving into something else. It went from Travis Scotts to designer brands to Asics and New Balance.

Contra Costa Pulse: What would you like to say to the Richmond community as you close this chapter and prepare for the move?

JD: We appreciate the love and support. We will always make ourselves available to the community, and we will offer drop-offs for our Richmond residents.