Get Your Kicks On
With Leroi from Route 66, Enmore Road
Route 66 was born in 1983 when founders Tina Lowe and Ross Waddington returned from six months travelling through America’s heartland along the legendary Route 66 highway. Inspired by the freedom, craftsmanship and rebellious spirit of mid-century American style, they began importing vintage clothing to Australia and reshaped how people saw secondhand fashion. By the time Tina opened the Sydney store in Surry Hills in 1986, Route 66 had become a destination for denim lovers, musicians and anyone drawn to clothing with character.
When the Surry Hills building was sold, the move to Enmore Road marked a fresh chapter. For managing director Leroi Waddington, Tina and Ross’s son, the decision felt right. The neighbourhood’s energy matched everything Route 66 had always stood for.
“Surry Hills was losing its edge, and Enmore was becoming the next centre for nightlife and creativity.”
Inside the store, Route 66 stays true to its roots. Racks are filled with worn-in denim, leather jackets, Western shirts and vintage band tees, with labels like Wrangler, Levi’s, RRL and Red Wing sitting alongside carefully chosen new pieces. Every item feels like it has lived a life, whether it is a perfectly faded pair of jeans or a rare tee pulled from rock history.
Route 66 has also found its place within Enmore’s tight-knit community. The team hosts in-store live music with Young Henrys and takes part in THREADSFEST with local retailers including Reunion, Wilde Merchant, SoFamilia, KoT-J and Irreplaceable, offering 15 percent off storewide during the festival.
For Leroi, the neighbourhood reflects everything the brand stands for. It is expressive, community minded and full of people who value individuality. A morning coffee at Black Market, a beer at the Enmore Hotel or a game of pool at Young Henrys are part of the weekly rhythm.
Today, Route 66 remains a cornerstone of Enmore Road, a place where timeless style, sustainability and authenticity continue to thrive. It is a store shaped by history, carried by family and completely at home in Sydney’s most creative precinct.
Route 66
2/82-84 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042
@route66store
route66.com.au