This week marks the grand opening of top indie retailer Sportie LA's new store in the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, CA.
With five stores in the Los Angeles area, and a clientele that reads like a Who's Who of fashion-conscious celebrities and trendsetters, Sportie LA is considered one of the chief influencers on today's sneaker scene, and has consistently been listed among the nation's top independent retailers by publications including GQ, Harper's Bazaar, The LA Times, Dime, and Conde Nast's FN.
Since its inception in 1985, Sportie LA - founded by brother and sister team Isack Fadlon and Orna Amzaleg - has been an enduring player amidst radical shifts in the sneaker business, and has continued to evolve, launching its in-house content and marketing division, SLAM, in 2006. The San Diego opening is the company's first foray outside of Los Angeles.
"There are many great cities here in Southern California, and San Diego has a rich and distinct culture that we've wanted to be a part of," said Fadlon. "We're anxious to immerse ourselves in this community in every way possible."
Like Sportie LA's flagship store on Melrose Avenue, the 3,500 square foot San Diego shop features more than 50 brands and offers two very different shopping experiences. The front of the store accommodates the frenzied hustle and bustle for which Sportie LA is so well known, while a gallery area called the Library - home to only 12 brands - gives customers a chance to explore special releases and limited offerings.
Additionally, the Library provides a backdrop for the Sportie LA parties and collaborative special events that have become the stuff of legend in Los Angeles, and which have included the Nike I.D. and Reebok Freestyle 25th Anniversary events, both of which were held in the Vault at the flagship store.
From a brand perspective, Sportie LA's San Diego store represents an opportunity for Nike, Reebok, Puma, Adidas, Asics, Creative Recreation, Diesel, Fila, Lacoste, LA Gear, PF Flyers, and many others to launch new product, and to connect with an enthusiastic audience. "The more people we talked to leading up to the opening, from local businesspeople to job applicants, the more we were amazed by the genuine desire for something like this," said Fadlon. "It's humbling, and, in a way, it's a lot of pressure, but we're ready to jump in."
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