If you’ve been into sneakers since the forum days, Corporate is no stranger to the scene. The shop’s name is chiseled into stone as one of the earliest boutiques in the nation, and certainly one the first in the Midwest. Founded in 2009, owner Matt Tomamichel brought in years of retail experience and passion to his vision, establishing a Cincinnati institution that primarily serves the community through a minority-owned business. Corporate has since expanded to new locations in Dayton and Indianapolis. Despite scaling the business, Matt has established that local shop attitude that has maintained loyalty from the sneaker scene’s heaviest hitters and those that are new to the hobby.
Matt found a passion for retail while working since the age of 16. He handled three jobs at a time at one mall, grinding all day while making all the right connections. At one point, he managed one of Deveroes stores, eventually purchasing their Nike account for $1. Yes, one dollar. At the age of 21, Matt was back in Cincinnati and opened the doors to Corporate in his hometown of Cincinnati, receiving proper guidance from his mother (an accountant) and surrounding himself with supportive friends and colleagues. Many of Corporate’s employees have since expanding their roles to play larger roles in its growth. And the name? Working at Foot Locker for years, Matt became disenchanted by the division between those working in the stores and the “higher ups”, and chose to name his store accordingly to redefine the word.
