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Montrealers ‘happy’ to brave cold for days for Pharrell-endorsed Adidas kicks

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Montrealers brave cold for Pharrell-endorsed kicks
WATCH ABOVE: Montrealers are lining up for days for Pharrell-endorsed sneakers. Global's Billy Shields reports – Nov 9, 2017

“It might seem crazy what I’m ’bout to say,” but a steadily growing lineup of lawn chairs and bundled-up people has been forming in front of Off The Hook (OTH), in downtown Montreal.

They’ve been lining up since Tuesday to buy a pair of Adidas sneakers endorsed by singer Pharrell Williams; the launch is on Saturday.

“It’s insane,” said Ola Serhan, who works nearby. “To me, it’s not real.”

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The shoes come in four colours and have different words printed on top.

Global News found a previous model of shoes endorsed by the singer selling online for $7,500 a pair — it could be financed in monthly installments over the course of two years.

Off The Hook is one of the few retailers working with Adidas to carry the shoe line.

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OTH footwear buyer Mark Richardson said demand is high due to Williams’ fame and because there is a limited supply — the store only has 100, and customers can only buy two pairs each.

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Richardson said the intense demand changes how the store is handling the release.

“Just because there are so many people that will show up at the store,” he told Global News.

OTH organized the lineup through its Instagram page.

Montreal’s OTH store is limiting customers who want the Pharrell-endorsed Adidas to two pair per person. Adidas

Hopeful customers need to check in periodically if they want to stay on the exclusive list — other than that, they’re free to wait somewhere warm nearby instead of braving the cold.

Temperatures are slated to dip below freezing Friday; the sneakers go on sale Saturday.

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