Superdry bags are for sale at Fresh Pair Sneakers, a family-owned Tyler store specializing in limited release shoes and urban wear. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Fresh Pair Sneakers aims to help their customers make a good impression – feet first.

“It’s the first thing people look at,” said store owner Timothy Mast. “First impressions – they look at your feet, and then they look at what you wear.”

Tyler resident Mast opened Fresh Pair Sneakers, 521 N. Glenwood Blvd., in December after growing frustrated trying to find specific designer tennis shoes at Tyler’s existing retail stores which tend to carry only general releases.

“I don’t wear anything that people wear. That’s just me though. I always try to keep a limited pair of sneakers on my feet at all times,” Mast said.

Limited edition shoes are high-end shoes that are highly sought after by customers, but are produced in low quantities, thus driving up the demand and price for the shoes.

Popular limited release shoes include the Air Jordan 13, Adidas Yeezy made in collaboration with hip-hop artist Kanye West, Adidas Ultra Boost and shoes made by Puma.

Mast said it was stressful having the money to buy limited release shoes, but there was no means to find them in Tyler, so he started his own business. Through the resale market, Mast is able to purchase new shoes from business partners – who bought the sneakers in bulk at the time of their release – and resell them at his store.

Beyond sneakers, Mast also sells some clothing and accessories at his store. Popular brands he sells include Superdry, which is a British brand worn by Kylie Jenner and actor Idris Elba is a brand ambassador, and Dope, which is a skateboard brand based in California. Stance socks and Crep shoe cleaner are big sellers, too.

Mast also does custom orders and used shoe restoration.

Mast attributes his love of business to his father Rev. Michael Mast, who owned a bill collecting business.

“There’s nothing like the entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve been doing business since elementary school. I sold candy and the principal got mad at me because I was taking money away from the cafeteria,” Mast said.

A grand opening celebration for the store is planned for this summer. Updates on the store’s current selection of shoes can be found on their Facebook page and Instagram account.

Fresh Pair Sneakers is open from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Twitter: @TMT_Sarah