Today's KNS business section [1] has an article about a new Steve and Barry's store (not to be confused with Ben and Jerry's) coming soon to the former Wal*Mart location in South Knoxville.

I hadn't heard of this company, but I was intrigued by their line of $15 sneakers and the fact that most apparel items are $10 or so. This is a great concept, and somewhat socially responsible, too (except maybe for the sources of their goods, which isn't mentioned). They aren't publicly traded. Which is too bad, but probably part of their success.

The sports shoes were designed by an NBA player who actually wears them on the court. According to their website [2], Stephon Marbury grew up in a large family and "knows first-hand the pressure that kids and parents feel to spend top dollar on the latest merchandise from the top brands," and wants to "help eliminate that pressure by bringing high quality jeans, jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, hats, sneakers and more to shoppers at astonishing low prices." According to a "professor of footwear design," the shoes are no different from $150 shoes in the quality of design and materials.

And for the ladies (and fans of Sex in the City), Steve and Barry's is rolling out an exclusive new line of women's apparel by Sarah Jessica Parker [3] ("fashion is not a luxury, it's a right!"), with every item in the collection priced under $20.

I predict this store will have great success in South Knoxville. Folks will be driving over from Farragut right past Turkey Creek to shop there.

And wouldn't it be great if kids started bragging about how inexpensive their clothes were, and competing to have the cheapest cool sneakers?