California Shoe Brand Roam Opens First Store as Company Continues Growth

California-based footwear brand Roam has opened its first brick-and-mortar location in the heart of Los Angeles.

Located at the Glen Centre in the hills of Bel Air, the new 1,000-sq.-ft. space spans two floors and features a curated selection of Roam’s best-selling sandals, clogs, heeled mules and slippers along with the label’s athleisure and accessory items.

Kay Sides, founder and creative director of Roam told FN in an interview that she is grateful for the community the company has built through its specialty stores and own e-commerce and social channels.

“We have worked so hard on expanding our brand into a strong, all year, all occasion footwear offering,” Sides said. “The opportunity to personally engage with our community and have a destination for them to try on new styles has been a privilege, plus introduce our brand to new customers.”

Sides added that the space “feels like a throwback to a simpler, more interpersonal time” where people gathered and connected with one another. The Glen Centre is a “special place” with a beautiful community where you really feel the warmth and peaceful energy, she said.

First launched in 2018, Sides said that Roam continues to grow its direct-to-consumer and wholesale business. “We’ve seen continuous growth at an average of 20 percent to 25 percent year-over-year,” the founder said. “Roam is currently in 150 specialty retailers throughout the United States, and we love working with them all.”

Since its debut, Roam uses all vegan, in-market materials for its footwear styles, including a certifiable BIO EVA outsole made from sugar cane with a recycled tread. Top silhouettes include the Foldy Puffy sandals, Cross Stack sandals, Cloud mule and Fuzzy platforms. New for spring 2024, Roam introduced denim styles like the Dark Denim Cross Stack featuring a crisscross upper with a platform wedge and the lighter wash Denim Stack.

“We are excited to launch additional denim styles this summer. Instant best-sellers this season are the Asymmetrical Stack platform wedge sandal (available in black, cream, nude) and the Orbit neoprene sandal (available in black, nude, taupe),” Sides noted. “Both styles have asymmetrical straps placed in a playfully modern way to offer support and elevate the look on the foot, and are almost sold out!”

As for if there will be any more Roam stores in the near future, Sides said the focus will remain on this first location for now. “I’m excited to strengthen our roots in L.A. with our new HQ,” she said. “My team and I are planning a handful of in-store customer events to celebrate the new space and continue to build our community. It’s been amazing to meet our community in real life and receive so much positive feedback in-person.”