Our story

Family-run since 2004.

The Next Level started with Fred, friends, deep hip-hop roots, and a belief that a local shop could become a platform for people, artists, family and community.

Roots Family Growth Community

The Next Level family and friends helping with the big move in Calgary — Family & friends / big move

Fred from The Next Level speaking to the Calgary community — Fred / community

Kacy from The Next Level working behind the scenes — Kacy / operations

2004 roots

Built from music, culture and local trust.

Fred started The Next Level in 2004 with friends and deep hip-hop roots. Over time, the shop progressed into Fred becoming the sole owner, carrying the original energy forward with his own personal touch.

His roots run deep in hip-hop culture, and that shaped more than the look of the store. The Next Level became a place that supported up-and-coming artists, local people, independent makers and customers who wanted to feel seen when they walked in.

The family behind the counter

Fred, Kacy and Laya keep the shop moving from different angles, with the same family-first standard.

Fred, Kacy and Laya sharing a funny moment inside The Next Level Calgary shop — Actual family-business energy.

Family first, for real

Closed for family, open with personality.

The funny shop moments matter because they show the real people behind the counter. The Next Level has always had that local presence: family, personality, inside jokes, and a team that can take the work seriously without sanding off every human edge.

Owner / Back end / Floor

Fred

Fred takes care of the back end of the business, but still loves getting onto the floor, talking with customers, and adding his personal touch wherever he can.

Operations Manager

Kacy

Kacy handles operations and the daily rhythm that keeps the place running. Orders, people, service, standards: she keeps the moving parts moving.

Marketing

Laya

Laya looks after marketing and helps keep the voice of the shop active, current and connected to the people who follow, visit and order online.

From one shop to a wider presence

The shape changed, but the local connection stayed.

2004

Started local

The Next Level opened with a culture-first retail idea and a Calgary customer base that grew one visit at a time.

Growth

One location became three

The store grew from one location to three, while the online side also became part of the business.

Focus

Back to one strong home base

The business consolidated back to one storefront, then leaned harder into the website, web store, and distribution side.

Now

Storefront plus warehouse energy

Today the shop still welcomes daily customers who want to come in, say hi and browse, while the online side carries more of the reach.

Presence

Community is part of the job.

Fred contributes heavily to growth in the community, supports people coming up, and keeps family at the center of the business. That is why The Next Level feels less like a chain and more like a Calgary place with actual people behind it.

The store has always had a personal layer: music, artists, customer conversations, shop updates, local service, and the kind of daily grind that only works when the family actually shows up.

Local circle

Friends who level up with us.

Business friends, artists, makers and local people who help keep The Next Level presence moving through Calgary.

LF Level Friend Local business YS YYC Studio Creative shop AC Artist Circle Music & art PC Print Crew Custom gear NE NE Eats Food friends MF Market Family Retail locals