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Crocs & Roll
Fayetteville Observer, Jun 13, 2006
Kevin Hobbs kicks up his Crocs on a coffee table at his hair salon, Beautiful Beautiful, in downtown Fayetteville.
Never mind that Kevin Hobbs’ arms, neck and face are covered in eye-catching tattoos – all eyes still drop to his feet when he wears his favorite shoes.
No one needs to tell Hobbs his candy-apple red Crocs are ugly. He says so himself.
“When I got them, I thought ‘Oh my God, these are the ugliest shoes I’ve ever seen,’” he said. But then he stepped in and felt their sturdy squishiness and, well, “Sighhhhhh.”
Unnaturally bright, unapologetically ugly and impossibly comfortable, Crocs are creeping – or maybe clumping – into the mainstream.
Hobbs, the 35-year-old owner of downtown salon Beautiful, Beautiful, said he had never seen anyone wearing the resin clog sandals when he got his first pair from a friend in Raleigh eight months ago.
Now, he spots fellow Croc fans all over town. They catch each other’s eyes and tip their toes in greeting, he said.
“It’s a way for us to bond,” Hobbs said. “It’s like a secret society.”
The society is becoming a lot less secret, according to local stores that stock Crocs. The shoes have been popular for a few years near Crocs headquarters in Boulder, Colo. and elsewhere, but are finally hitting their stride in this part of the world.
“When we got them last year, everyone was like ‘Ehh,’” said Angie Holley, the assistant manager of Dick’s Sporting Goods on Skibo Road. “This year, they’ve caught on. It’s definitely a hot item.”
Kerriann Hillgrove, the manager of River Jack Outdoor Trading in Southern Pines, said the store has sold Crocs – but not very many – for about two years. Now, River Jack gets shipments of about 200 pairs every few weeks and still can’t keep them in stock.
“They really did not sell well back when we first started selling them. People thought they were ugly and just didn’t take to them,” she said. “Then, all of a sudden they just started taking off recently. I think once people put them on, they can’t stop wearing them.”
At Dick’s, 16-year old Brittany Hinson tried on a bright green pair that would put Kermit to shame.
“Oooh!” she squealed “I actually want some. I think they’re really cute.”
Jonathan King, a 25-year-old Fort Bragg soldier, tried on a pair of black Crocs flip-flops, a new style. He first saw Crocs when he visited his younger sister in Boulder, Colo., but was never interested in the bigger clogs.
“As a guy, that’s like the goofiest thing in the world,” he said. “They feel more comfortable, but yeah, I’d never wear anything like that.”
Andrew Dennison, a 38-year old Fort Bragg soldier feels the same way. Sort of. His friends have been wearing Crocs around the neighborhood and their devotion is convincing.
“They don’t look like the manliest shoes in the world,” he said. Even so, “I’ve been thinking about getting a pair,” Dennison admitted as he pondered a navy blue pair.
Crocs sell for about $30 a pair. Imitation Crocs – let’s call them “mocks” – are priced between about $10 and $15. Mocks look like the real deal, but aren’t always as comfortable.
Fayetteville podiatrist Kent A. Van Belois checked out Crocs for the first time on Thursday. “It looks like it’s pretty good support,” he said. “Fairly thick cushion sole. It’s good because they’re rounded off. They’re roomy. I imagine most people would be OK – comfortable.” And, as Crocs aficionados agree, comfort is the point. Well, that and the pleasure of seeing people’s eyes drop to your feet.
By Kate Cantrell
Staff writer Kate Cantrell can be reached at cantrellk@fayettevillenc.com or 323-4848, ext. 331.
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