In the last few months, dozens of Urban Necessities consignees alleged on social media that the popular sneaker consignment shop has failed to issue payments for items sold. As the frustration amongst the sellers grows, many are pointing to Urban Necessities founder Jaysee Lopez, aka TwoJsKicks, for answers.
Late last night, TwoJsKicks posted a 14-minute video on his Instagram account giving his perspective on the issues the shop is currently facing, including his wife being diagnosed with cancer, and taking on sneaker customizer Dominic "The Surgeon" Ciambrone and other individuals under Surgeon Worldwide Inc. as financial partners of the store.
TwoJsKicks says that in early 2022, his wife was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, which shifted his attention away from the store. After a few months had passed, he met The Surgeon and his business partners at SneakerCon, where they begin to discuss joining Urban Necessities to assist with operations due to growing concerns about his wife's health.
According to TwoJsKicks, a deal was signed toward the end of that year, and he later realized he had no say in the company after the agreement, while still being held liable for any outstanding balances and issues with the business. He then says that he asked for a buyout from the company and was offered a deal in early 2023, but The Surgeon and his partners never signed a contract for his buyout.
TwoJsKicks explained that as time passed, he asked to be bought out for no money in return, but the entities still did not contractually agree to the buyout. He was later terminated from the brand but was still held liable for the store's outstanding debts.
The Surgeon has not responded to comments when Complex reached out regarding the matter.
Towards the end of the video, TwoJsKicks is asking for 100 percent ownership of Urban Necessities back from The Surgeon and his partners. Through this proposed deal, he claims he will be able to pay cosigners in full if the deal is agreed upon.
Check out TwoJsKicks' full explanation about Urban Necessities challenges in the Instagram video below.
UPDATE (06/26): Urban Necessities' director of finance, Kayla Markin, has chimed in on social media regarding TwoJsKicks' claims on the issues the store is currently facing. Markin claims that TwoJsKicks received a $191K payment in 2023 while also saying that no one would invest in the store if he were still an active partner. Markin's full response appears in the Instagram post below.
UPDATE (11/12): TwoJsKicks has confirmed the closing of Las Vegas-based consignment shop, Urban Necessities, on Instagram today. His full statement on the matter appears in the Instagram post below.
