Corporate brings fresh kicks and clothes to Springdale

Matt Tomamichel began thinking about opening his own store when he was in college at Wright State University near Dayton, Ohio.  He had a passion for the sneaker and fashion culture, which eventually led him to open Corporate in Springdale.

Corporate opened in the summer of 2008 and has seen steady increases in sales each month, but running the 1,000 square-foot store is more of a passion for Tomamichel than it is strictly a business.

"I grew up admiring the newest sneakers and when I was old enough I entered retail and loved it. I love just getting up and not knowing what I'm going to get in a day. You never know who may stop by the shop or what might happen in the day," states Tomamichel.

Inside the store Tomamichel says shoppers can expect a laid back atmosphere that represents the rising hipster scene in Cincinnati.  "We are beginning to really support the whole culture, whether you are into music, fashion, the arts or sneakers, we relate to everyone," says Tomamichel.

The store is unique for Cincinnati with very few competitors that offer similar products like Play Cloths, Another Enemy, Dope Culture, and Undefeated.  The shop also features the requisite Nike and Jordan brands, and will soon feature Corporate-developed New Era fitted caps, but Tomamichel notes that Corporate is more than just another sneaker shop.

"We're really trying to be the bridge to all the gaps in the different cultures Cincinnati holds.  I work with everyone because I was never raised to be closed-minded.  We're going to make sure you expand some horizons."

Tomamichel's bold vision comes from having worked at Footaction where he became frustrated with not being able to make independent decisions.  The name Corporate comes from the experience of being consistently told "corporate handles all that, we just sell."  Now Tomamichel is the one pulling the strings; he is Corporate.

Tomamichel originally left Cincinnati for Minneapolis where he met Sly Peoples, the former owner of popular street apparel store, Status. He began working with Peoples in Minneapolis to get a better understanding of how small businesses work.  After an unsuccessful second location in Columbus, Tomamichel decided to come back to Cincinnati and open a shop of his own at the age of 22.

Corporate is located at 11578 Springfield Pike (map) in the Springdale Town Center development.  Prices range from $30-40 for tees, $50-75 for wovens, and $75-100 for sneakers.  Currently the store has a mens only selection that will be expanded to include womens clothing as well.  For more information you can call the store at (513) 771-0432.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
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