Know your Nikes: StreetGame sells shoe history

With its vintage merchandise and its knowledgeable sales associates, StreetGame is selling more than shoes; it's selling shoe history.

The Albany location is the sixth store in this upstate New York franchise. "We thought customers needed us in Albany," says Jay Choi, General Manager.

This new Albany shoe store caters to urban wear conniseurs who can tell their Nike Airs from their Air Maxes (hint: it has to do with the size of the air pocket). Opened in August, the store has already become the destination for people looking for classic Nikes. It's the only licensed Nike store in the area, making it the best source of the very latest in styles and colors. You can also find the best in Timberlands, and a great selection of T-shirts and athletic wear.

"We are the biggest Nike and Jordan authorized dealer in upstate New York," says Choi. "We are the ones who carry the most diverse and hot items." The store also offers a large selection of rare, limited edition shoes, he says.

The store is also a great place to score a good deal on shoes. On the store's Buy One Get One Free wall, you can pick any shoe, and get a second pair of equal or lesser value for free. You're liable to find anything on the wall--from high tops to kids' kicks--so check it out frequently.

Best of all, StreetGame's staff gets a kick out of shoe trivia, and they can answer almost any question you might have about Nikes. Local manager Eric Pitts is a shoe genius, and during a recent tour he provided a full history of the iconic shoe, complete with demonstrations. Pitts is an asset to the new store because he knows things about Nikes that few people know, says Choi. "I don't know, but he knows," admits Choi.

StreetGame is located at 818 Central Avenue, Albany in the plaza next to Clothes Mentor. For more information, call StreetGame at 729-5975.