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It might be listed in the Yellow Pages as a butcher shop, but Dave’s Quality Meats has never been a purveyor of sirloin or sausage links. The brainchild of Dave Ortiz (formerly of urban-streetwear label Zoo York) and pro skateboarder Chris Keeffe, DQM is actually a boutique beloved by sneakerheads. Ortiz’s years of working—and tagging—in the meatpacking district have paid off, and the store takes its butcher-shop theme and runs with it: Hoodies hang from meat hooks, a refrigerator case is filled with T-shirts shrink-wrapped like tonight’s pork chops, and your purchase comes in a hand-stamped brown paper bag. Skateboarders will salivate at the wide variety of decks, DQM’s in-house line of hats and tees, and shirts from labels like HUF and ANX—many of which are usually found only in California—while sneaker fans will get their kicks from a wall of limited-edition Nikes and Vans. Dave’s style is generous. It’s not uncommon to see people leaving the homeless shelter across the street in vintage sneaks donated by the store. — Mike Olson

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• Ask a Clerk at Dave’s Quality Meat (10/2/06)