Bodega Co-Founder Dan Natola Departs Brand After 20 Years

Dan Natola, one of the original founders of legendary sneaker and apparel retailer , has announced his departure from the brand and role as director of brand strategy after 20 years. Natola has been credited as driving the success and creativity of the brand, which has gone on to reach all-time legend status. Securing Bodega a place in the sneaker history books was their supreme storytelling that extended to their countless collaborations, underground events and the authentic link they had with sneaker culture.

‘After two decades, it is with mixed emotion that I am announcing my departure from Bodega, as Director of Brand Strategy and Co Founder,’ Natola said in a statement. ‘Bodega has been an incredible journey and lifelong dream, realized. I am eternally grateful to my partners and the entire Bodega team. Most of all I would like to thank you; together we created something that transcended conventional retail and continues to inspire all. I trust that the current leadership and team will see Bodega to its fullest potential.’

Not many brick-and-mortar retailers can boast about being open for almost two decades, but Bodega can. They swung open their doors in Boston way back in 2006 and became known as the store hidden in plain sight – hosting an actual bodega façade, you had to walk through a Snapple vending machine to enter the store. In 2018, Bodega opened their Los Angeles location, which is currently situated in the ROW DTLA.

The two remaining founders, Jay Gordon and Oliver Mak, will continue their roles at the brand, which has a positive reputation for its unique approach to retail and collaborations with , , , , and more.

Relive Bodega’s two-decade journey by looking back on their many collaborations .