Sneakerhead Arrested for Knifing Customer at Hypebeast ‘HBX’ Opening on Division Street

A watershed moment for Hypebeast transformed into a melee on the Lower East Side last week.

The Hong Kong-based fashion and lifestyle publication on Friday officially debuted in the seven-story commercial loft building at 41-43 Division Street. Its ground-level store – dubbed HBX – attracted a queue of sneaker heads waiting for a limited edition Nike Dunk sneaker.

Police arrested Brooklyn resident Miguel Ovidio, 20, and charged him with assault, menacing, and possession of a weapon after slashing another customer outside the new store.

With an official opening time of 11:00am, the line began queuing five hours earlier. As the opening drew near, though, customers began shoving to get ahead.

The aggressor allegedly started swinging the blade after being crushed under the crowd. The resulting fight was caught on camera.

Plans for the 21,000 square-foot space, and its conversion, have been in the works for nearly four years. Bowery Boogie first reported news of the Hypebeast takeover back in 2018.

The brand, which inked a seven-year lease at 41 Division, is utilizing the remaining floor area for offices, a gallery, and events space. Its presence on Division Street is the first stateside brick-and-mortar location for Hypebeast.

“U live in NY its easy to cook in-store”🙄 pic.twitter.com/fOTOacyDZn

— Nick 🇦🇲 (@621armo) June 18, 2022