Flight Club

Time Out says

Fri May 13 2011

Sneaker fiends flock to this footwear utopia to buy and sell every type of kicks imaginable, all on consignment (with 80 percent of the profit going to the seller and 20 percent to the store). Around 10,000 pairs of never-worn, plastic-wrapped shoes are stacked in 15 rows that run the entire length of the mammoth store. Though the inventory changes daily, it is so abundant that even vintage styles usually come in multiple sizes (including some for women, though it’s very hit or miss). All of the typical brands are represented: Converse, Vans, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Reebok and, of course, Nike, which dominates about two thirds of the wall. Surveying the selection is almost dizzying but well worth it if you’re in the market for a pair of tweed Nike Dunk High Premiums with suede accents ($145), plaid wool Converse high-tops ($75) or classic Vans slip-ons with a beer-drinking, bandana-clad Homer Simpson hand-painted on the toe ($200). True ballers head to the back of the store, where several dozen extra-exclusive pairs are protected by glass panels—presumably to catch the drool. A pair of limited-edition, black-and-pink Air Yeezy sneakers—Nike x Kanye West’s collaboration shoe—fetches a whopping $1,500. An equally stunning array of nonconsignment hats occupies the opposing wall. Most bear the familiar logos of pro basketball, baseball and hockey teams, with a few exceptions, like a fitted New Era Muhammad Ali–themed hat with “I Am the Greatest” embroidered in block letters on the front ($35). A New Era checkered Yankee mesh fitted cap ($34) will serve you well all baseball season long. Finally, there’s a collection of branded Flight Club logo tees and hoodies ($24–$48), along with Mitchell & Ness retro, V-neck baseball shirts ($45).