American footwear retailer Foot Locker has expanded their empire into metro Detroit, opening its first ‘Power Store’ concept-store on 8 Mile Road in Eastpointe on Jan. 25. The 8,668 square-foot space will be a hub for sneaker enthusiasts to get in on the latest shoe drops from brands like Adidas, Air Jordan, Vans, and many others.
“It’s our goal at Foot Locker to bring the excitement of sneaker culture to local communities around the world, and that’s what our new Power Store model is all about,” says Frank Bracken, Foot Locker’s vice president and general manager. “We’re focused on creating immersive brand connections that are authentically tied to the neighborhoods they serve; from the local store staff that we hire to the products and experiences we offer.”
An exclusive collection of Nike Air Force 1s titled “Home & Away” is to be unveiled at the site, the line paying homage to major cities such as Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Detroit, which contributed to the brand’s success. Detroit-centric products like New Balance’s 990 “The Isle” rendition, a pair of Pumas designed by Motor City rapper Icewear Vezzo, and Timberlands bearing the phrases “It Will Rise From the Ashes” and “We Hope for Better Things” will also be available for purchase.
The retailer will also be celebrating its new location with a series of events, open to the public and free of charge. On Jan. 30 at 1 p.m., Foot Locker’s “Home Grown” activation will offer products from local brands Detroit vs. Everybody and District 81, and includes performances by Icewear Vezzo and DJ BJ. Later at 6 p.m., “Women’s Culture Wednesday” will feature DJ Angel Baby spinning records, a panel discussion with Detroit artist Désirée Kelly, whose custom work hangs in the store, and founder of Femology, Meagan Ward. “I was born and raised on the east side of Detroit, so partnering with Foot Locker to visually bring their new store to life in my neighborhood has been incredibly special,” Kelly says. “I found inspiration in Detroit’s iconic history and heritage and I hope the community sees these works of art as a shrine to our city.” The store will host their Adidas Speedfactory event on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m., releasing a Detroit-inspired pair of Adidas AM4DET that were designed at Pensole Footwear Design Academy by local College for Creative Studies student Kayla Donaldson.
The highlight of the four-day festival is an appearance by Detroit native and rapper Big Sean on Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. Big Sean will participate in an open-forum discussion on the science of music. Throughout the day, Foot Locker will be hosting the Puma Science Lab to promote the recent re-release of the brand’s ’90s-inspired sneaker. Within a lab-like setting decked out with bubbling test tubes and robots, participants can deconstruct, and reconstruct, the chunky shoe to create a new prototype. On Feb. 2, the Nike “Home and Away” collection will drop, it featuring two styles — one being the “Away,” an all black chunky sneaker sporting speckled panels, a “313” emblem on the shoe’s tongue, and a basketball and cross bones bearing “Detroit” near the heel. The other design, “Home,” dons white and blue stripes, suede patches, and a Motor City patch towards the back. Both will be offered in store. The night closes out with the Detroit Got Talent Show hosted by Haha Davis and includes a performance by Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley.
Metro Detroit sneakerheads, will you be making your way over to Foot Locker’s new Power Store this week? Let us know in the comments below.
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