News  Greenfield CJSC Client Launches Pop-Up Sneaker Business Thanks to City Grant

Filthy Kicks is located in the Goods pop-up shop - 357 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 - and is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through the end of June. 

The Goods is a partnership between the City of Greenfield and Greenfield Community College. It was established to transform vacant storefronts into thriving businesses, "while providing a free, no-risk opportunity for local entrepreneurs to test their businesses," according to the City of Greenfield's website. 

Mr. Vaillancourt's Filthy Kicks began as an online business. He sees the storefront as a way to grow his business. "Greenfield and surrounding towns are full of people who love shoes, but they are limited to online purchasing or driving to Fitchburg or Holyoke to buy them," Mr. Vaillancourt said last week at a ribbon-cutting for his business.

Joseph Alberto, Mr. Vailancourt's Probation Officer at Orange District Court, said, "Eli, like so many other young people, has shown that he can thrive when he is presented with a structured routine. Eli is no longer operating without direction, but rather throwing himself into this endeavor because of a newly found sense of purpose."

Greenfield CJSC Program Manager Debbie Truong said, "We are proud of Eli and the successful launch of his pop-up business and we at the center are pleased and excited about partnering with the City of Greenfield and Greenfield Community College to offer this opportunity to one of our clients."