VntgCapz and Domsneakz are Keeping you Fresh in the Arizona Heat Story by: David Ulloa
n the ever-expanding world of streetwear and vintage clothing, Dominic Hidalgo and Cristian Roman have established a name for themselves in Arizona as “domsneakz” and “vntgcapz” (pronounced vintage caps), resale vendors of sneakers and vintage hats. Hidalgo and Roman turned their passions into growing Instagram businesses that cater to sneaker and hat collectors throughout Arizona. “It all started with my dad,” Hidalgo said. “He’s a big Jordan collector. He has hundreds and hundreds of pairs of shoes from way back when from the ’80s, 90’s pairs, countdown packs, DMP (Defining Moment Packs).” When Hidalgo was in elementary and middle school, he was known as the “kid with the Jordans” because his father used to buy him the latest Jordans, Nikes, and player edition sneakers (shoes made for a basketball player and made available at retail). As Hidalgo got older, he learned the monetary value of sneakers. “Domsneakz” began on Dec. 3, 2020, when Hidalgo camped outside of GameStop to purchase a PlayStation 5. Hidalgo sold the PlayStation 5 and bought a pair of Air Jordan Flint 13s. These were the first pair of shoes Hidalgo bought to resell. Like Hidalgo, Roman’s business started with his passion for vintage clothing. “I’ve always been the type to go thrifting,” Roman said. “I’ve always liked old stuff. And then I’ve always liked hats.” Roman started “vntgcapz” when he bought 20 vintage hats for $200 from OfferUp. In November 2020, Roman sold these hats at an event called Heated Sole Summit, which was the first time he sold vintage hats. Roman’s original intention was to sell hats in the parking lot of the Heated Sole Summit event, but the host of the event reached out to him with an offer to set up a table at the event instead. “From there, it made me enjoy showing what I have, not by just selling, but by collecting also,” Roman said.
32