Spawned from the popular Japanese sneaker store LA Avenue, RIF specializes in consignment for rare sneaker styles. Its location? Little Tokyo, of course.

Across the street from the Japanese Village Plaza in Downtown sits a little piece of shoe heaven called RIF. Short for "reinforce," RIF deals in exclusive sneakers, some of which are sold through a consignment program. Sneaker collectors can bring in unused pairs (or mail if they live outside of Southern California) and if approved, set a price and have their shoes sold at the shop at an 85-to-15 profit (seller gets 85 percent, store gets 15). For even the most novice of sneaker wearers, the selection is awe-inspiring: almost every style of Nikes Air Jordan and Air Force One is represented here. The stark space consists of two shelved walls lined and a few benches, but the real treasures are inside the glass case and behind the register. Those enclosed in glass include a Tokyo SB Dunk version made only in Japan that currently fetches $2,500. Pairs behind the register that are for display only include an exclusive Nike Dunk Low created by graffiti artist Stash; only about 200 were made, and RIF has 4 pairs. RIF ensures that all the shoes on the store floor are unique—there aren't duplicates to make the selection look larger. —Enid Portuguez