Athletic apparel brand to open NFL draft pop-up store in Detroit
The sportswear brand Klutch Athletics by New Balance will open a pop-up store in Detroit for the NFL draft, offering apparel and Detroit-themed customization options.
The pop-up store, at 119 State St., will be open to the public April 25-26 during the NFL draft and feature Klutch Athletics by New Balance apparel, a brand created by Rich Paul, a sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group.
“We’re celebrating the upcoming NFL draft, the Season 2 drop from Klutch Athletics and New Balance’s growing presence in American football,” the brand said in a Thursday news release announcing the pop-up store. “The eyecatching space reflects the brands’ position at the intersection of sport and culture.”
The Klutch Athletics by New Balance store joins a few other pop-up stores that are opening in time for the NFL draft, including the Luxury Locker Room, offering retail capsules from brands sold at The Somerset Collection in Troy; Born In Detroit, which offers Detroit-themed apparel; and the NFL Draft Shop, which will have gear for all 32 NFL teams and for the NFL draft.
The Klutch Athletics brand was created just over a year ago and offers training apparel for athletes competing in youth, collegiate and professional sports.
“There’s a gap right now that we can fill — creating training product that is functional, but with style,” Paul said in a February 2023 news release announcing the brand. “We’ve seen other brands moving away from youth sports and training, so we’re focused on bringing the new look of training for the next generation.”
The color inspiration came from New Balance’s iconic grays, fading from the darkest to the lightest gray in the palette, and complemented by a touch of green, the news release said.
The Klutch Athletics by New Balance popup store will also feature DJ performances April 25-26 and Paul, Will Anderson Jr., a defensive end for the Houston Texans, and Chase Young, a defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, will be at the store on Thursday from noon-1 p.m.
Students from Cass Technical High School also will be hosted at the space.
“It’s important for us to not just show up around events like the draft, but to also have real engagement with the community and come together for positive change,” Paul said in an emailed statement.
The store will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 24-26.