Sneaker Store Runs Away

Photo from AP Photo by Adam Rountree

When waiting for large pepperoni pizza in the local pizzeria, I took notice of the neighborhood UPS delivery man as he walked into the shop. “Hey!” he said to the cashier, “Another store bites the dust! Let me get 2 pepperoni slices, a beef patty with cheese, and a ginger ale. I’ll be here for a while until the staff of Foot Locker is finished. They’re closing down. ” he then said, while pointing to the giant, brown UPS truck that was being loaded by Foot Locker staff members.

In this small corner of East New York, Brooklyn, stores have come and gone, but the closing of Foot Locker came as quite a surprise to residents of Spring Creek Towers.

“It was a nice addition to the shopping center. I could go to Payless and get some cute shoes to wear to work, or go to Foot Locker and get some sneakers to work out in. The cute staff didn’t hurt either!” Aida Morales, an 18 year old, 13 year resident of Spring Creek Towers said.

As a 16 year resident, I have noticed that apart from Payless, clothing stores have not done so well in this shopping area. Before Foot Locker, the most recent store closing was of the Wholesale Club, a discount women’s clothing store. Since its closing, nothing has taken its place.

Surrounded by a Blockbuster, CVS, a law office, Payless, Golden Krust, China Star, Dunkin Donuts, a beauty supply store, stationary store, beauty salon, and super market, one would think that a clothing and sneaker store would be a perfect fit for this diverse Brooklyn community, and I guess it was for a few years. I can’t even remember what business was in the retail space before Foot Locker once occupied it, but I can only imagine what will take its place or if it will be just another empty storefront lined in newspapers.