WEST ENGLEWOOD — When Corie Luckett opened Englewood Branded in 2017, he knew the streetwear clothing shop would help him and his community flourish. Two years earlier, Luckett started selling T-shirts out of the trunk of his car, generating a name for himself and his signature Englewood gear. On Nov.
24, 2017, he opened Englewood Branded as a pop-up store at 1546 W. 63rd St. At the time, he hoped the money he’d make from Thanksgiving weekend shoppers would help him build a permanent store, Luckett said.
He didn’t even have a sign for the store. “I was only open Black Friday weekend, but that Monday, people were at the door, coming under the gate knocking on the door,” Luckett said. “Everyone was in there buying shirts.
The community didn’t let me close.” Greater Englewood helped Luckett’s store go from pop-up to permanent and “stand the test of time” for seven years, he said. After closing for a few weeks this fall for remodeling, Luckett is using his newly redesigned shop to continue giving back to his community.
Englewood Branded reopened Friday with space for community members to host meetings, drop-down projectors for presentations and musical performances and a textile print press where local youth can learn to make their own clothing brand. “I’m pushing the same aesthetic I had growing up. Neighbors, community, everyone wanted me to do well, so they pushed me toward it,” Luckett said.
“I want every kid that comes by to see the door is open.