March 5, 2016

This is why we order shoes on line.

"Madison Police were called to West Towne Mall... as a crowd of 60 or more customers gathered outside of Finish Line, a mall footwear store, waiting for the release of [the new 'Air Jordan' sneakers]."
[C]ustomers were pushing and shoving one another... Security... reported that Finish Line only had ten pairs of the sneakers available for sale which "did not sit well with the crowd."

27 comments:

Michael said...

Ordering on line would delay gratification. Very important to have the newest Air Jordans on one's feet the day of release.

Anonymous said...

Any guesses as to the demographics of the shoe-loving crowd?
It's not in the story.

Stephen Taylor said...

Demographics? Amish youth on rumspringa.

traditionalguy said...

I blame Scott Walker. He needs someone to accuse him of something terrible again....Get back in the saddle Scott. That Trump guy needs a VP.

madAsHell said...

I remember Red Ball Jets, Keds, and PF Flyers. PF Flyers were my favorite because they claimed you could "run higher, and jump faster" with PF Flyers. I was probably 6 or 7 years old.

I eventually settled on Jack Purcell's because they had a flat bottom with no tread, and it was easier to scrap the shit right off your shoes.

Oso Negro said...

Wow, Professor! I wouldn't have figured you and Meade as the new Air Jordan types.

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

I spent my childhood in unhip Chuck Taylor's and then they suddenly become cool in my early 20's, right about the time I'd decided athletic shoes with long pants looked dorky and childish. Story of my life.

robother said...

Bad sneakers and a transistor radio.

Robert G. said...

A couple of months ago on the EconTalk podcast Russ Roberts interviewed Josh Luber of StockX.com about the sneaker aftermarket. Collecting and trading sneakers seems nuts to me, but, apparently, it's a thing (today the "Jordan Index" is down 5.2%).

Etienne said...

I'm thinking the crowd was rather ethnic.

rhhardin said...

I order crocs when amazon puts them on deep sale, and very occasionally replacement boots or boot-shoes from llbean. Those being summer and winter wear respectively.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Jordan is the Babe Ruth of basketball.

His marketability has only increased (I believe, certainly seems that way) as the years after his retirement have piled on.

I heard a theory that Michael may have tested positive for some substance while he was playing. But because he meant so much to the game the NBA quietly suspended him and allow him to announce a switch to play baseball. We all know how that went.

J. Farmer said...

Hmm....no photos or physical description of those involved?

PuertoRicoSpaceport.com said...

Apparently this Saturday morning at the shoe store is a thing. A big, moneymaking, thing.

Russ Roberts spent an hour interviewing one of the kingpins of the celebrity sneaker business.

Josh Luber on Sneakers, Sneakerheads, and the Second-hand Market

Very interesting throughout.

http://www.econtalk.org/archives/2016/01/josh_luber_on_s.html

PuertoRicoSpaceport.com said...

Oops, I see Robert beat me to the Econtalk link.

John Henry

William said...

Kids with Jordan sneakers are so much better off than kids who have to do without. What will Bernie Sanders do about the inequitable distribution of Jordan sneakers throughout out society. Perhaps if we nationalize Nike and institute a ration system these problems pcan b addressed.

Alex said...

Highly recommend NikeId Pegasus running shoes. You can order them in wide if needed.

Original Mike said...

"This is why we order shoes on line."

No way. Shoes have to be tried on to make sure they fit and are comfortable.

Danno said...

Up here in the Twin Cities, we had a shooting over a pair of these sneakers. Must really be a great pair of shoes.

http://www.kare11.com/news/crime/2-shot-after-argument-over-air-jordans/69471139

MayBee said...

rhhardin said...
I order crocs when amazon puts them on deep sale


So rhhardin is a parody account.

AllenS said...

Check out Minneapolis' outer ring of communities.


AllenS said...

I see Danno beat me to the story.

Lucien said...

Ordering shoes online works better for adults, because their feet are not changing size every 20 minutes. Also, they are not following shoe marketing trends that change every 20 minutes. Plus, kids don't appreciate being able to send them back to Zappos if you're not happy with what comes out of the box.

walter said...

William said... What will Bernie Sanders do about the inequitable distribution of Jordan sneakers throughout out society.
--
Only Converse Chuck Taylors will be sold.

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

I'm finna steal some Jordans 4 justice 4 Tony Robinson! #FuckThePolice

Gordon Scott said...

#Black Shoes Matter

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Uuuuugly.