From pop-up to pull-up: Madera’s Valley Stealz opens physical store

MADERA, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A high school economics teacher, who is taking his streetwear brand from a pop-up store to a physical location, says he wants to be part of Madera’s continued growth.

Shahroz Ahmad started his apparel brand Valley Stealz in March 2021 and is opening his physical store in Madera at 2295 West Clevland Avenue, within the Madera Marketplace.

“We aimed for a prime location because we kind of wanted foot traffic as well,” Ahmad said. “For a business to succeed you’ve got to think location is number one.”

The store’s grand opening was on May 3. Ahmad says the overwhelming support Valley Stealz has received means a lot.

“This is home for us, and we wanted to provide something that we didn’t have growing up,” Ahmad said. “Not only for us but for the youth.”

Ahmad says growing up, choices for cool clothes were limited and many young people in Madera found themselves visiting River Park and Fashion Fair to shop.

“Now they’re able to come to Madera instead of everyone always saying, ‘Oh we gotta got to Fresno.'”

Ahmad says he is proud to be a small business in his hometown amongst all the large corporate growth.

“Over the past year, Madera had a tremendous amount of growth. To be a part of that growth is going to be something that I hold value for the rest of my life.”

Ahmad says he’s already received support from friends, family, his students and fellow staff and the greater Madera community – including the Madera Chamber of Commerce.

It is exciting to see our younger generation move into the position of small business ownership.  Valleystealz is one of our newest businesses that is investing into our community.

Madera Chamber of Commerece CEO/President, Debi Bray

The Chamber adds that Ahmad’s entrepreneurship is laying a foundation for future retail and will support the ongoing tradition of small businesses being the backbone of Madera.

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