John Kim 
The Vans DQM General Store is set to open another shop up along the Eastern seaboard. The team has their eyes on Boston, which will see the grand opening of this new branch of the specialized Vans shop for July 2013. Stay tuned to Sneaker News for the full details regarding any sort of grand opening planned for the Vans DQM General spot in Boston and continue on below for Vans’ official statement on this latest expansion.
Cypress, CA (June 5, 2013) – Vans, the original action sports brand, and leading streetwear purveyor and skateshop DQM announced today plans for expansion of The Vans DQM General to Boston, Mass. with a new shop located at 174 Newbury Street in Boston’s renowned Back Bay shopping district. The General, Vans’ first retail foray in Manhattan, has been widely successful since its 2011 opening. To further grow The General brand, Vans and DQM will introduce a new retail destination to the “Rodeo Drive of the East.” Newbury Street, home to an eclectic mix of independent shops and high-end fashion boutiques, welcomes millions of tourists and locals each year, creating a unique opportunity to introduce two of the most prolific names in contemporary streetwear to Boston.
This is an exciting venture for Vans, as the company began its historic journey 49 years ago in Boston. Brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren, from Braintree, Mass., along with friend Gordon Lee, worked at Randolph Rubber Company, Boston-based shoemaker and one of the country’s largest in the early 1960’s. It was in 1964 that the trio was challenged to revive the company in California. Two years later, the friends realized a lifetime dream and started to manufacture shoes in their own Anaheim, Calif. factory, calling their brand the Van Doren Rubber Company.
Slated to open in July 2013, the 1,200 square foot Vans DQM General will be deeply rooted in the heritage of Boston with locally sourced materials. Additionally, the store will reflect the DQM skate and streetwear aesthetic and will include pieces of Vans’ history with vintage machinery displayed at the store front. The Vans DQM General will carry both exclusive co-branded DQM for Vans footwear and crafted apparel as well as select Vans and DQM premium product for men and women.
“I am extremely proud to announce the expansion of The Vans DQM General concept to Boston,” said Chris Keeffe, founder and owner of DQM. “Through our partnership with Vans, we have successfully provided a top-tier boutique environment for Vans’ New York customers, and we’re looking forward to creating this experience in Boston; a city deeply rooted in east coast skateboarding history and culture.”
DQM, initially focused solely as a skateboard goods and shoe store, is now considered one of the world’s leading streetwear brands with a global following. In ten years, Keeffe and crew, including lead designer Tashi Stricker, have grown the line from a few t-shirts and hats to a menswear line including premium cut and sew woven shirts, pants, jackets and accessories. The DQM team is also developing DQM for Vans product to live side by side with exclusive Vans shoes and handpicked items from Vans’ footwear collections.
