Everything You Need to Know About the Urban Necessities Drama

Urban Necessities, one of the most prominent names in sneaker consignment, has found itself in boiling-hot water. Founder Jaysse Lopez – better known as TwoJsKicks – has gone public with explosive claims that he was effectively pushed out of the business by his new partners, including custom sneaker guru Dominic Ciambrone.

In a video posted to Instagram, Lopez explained that after his wife was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2022, he stepped back from day-to-day operations and brought in Ciambrone and his team to help run the business. But what he thought was a support system allegedly turned into a takeover. According to Lopez, a revised partnership agreement left him stripped of control yet still financially responsible for the company’s liabilities.

Now, things are spiralling. Multiple consignees have accused Urban Necessities of withholding payment for sold items, with reports of ghosted emails and months-long delays. Lopez says he tried to exit the company – first with a buyout, and then offering to walk away for free – but claims his termination still left him legally tied to the business. He’s now demanding full ownership be returned, promising to repay all consignees if he regains control.

However, not everyone agrees with Lopez’s version of events. Urban Necessities’ director of finance, Kayla Markin, responded publicly, claiming Lopez received $191,000 in 2023 and suggesting that potential investors wouldn’t touch the business while he remained involved. Her comments hint at deeper dysfunction behind the scenes.

With the sneaker world watching closely, Urban Necessities faces a credibility crisis. If Lopez’s version holds up, this could be one of the most high-profile implosions sneaker retail has seen in years.

As always, keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for updates.

For more on The Shoe Surgeon controversy, which he recently settled with Nike.