Not too many sneaker retailers can even come close to matching the kind of legacy and rich history enjoyed by Packer Shoes. Originally opened in 1907 in Yonkers, NY, the Packer Shoes name has stayed in the extinction for over 100 years, eventually branching out into its current location in Teaneck, New Jersey. What began as a one-stop neighborhood shoe shop over a century ago, has evolved with the growing sneaker market and now caters to the more high-end boutique aspect of the sneaker game. Owner/operator Mike Packer had the vision to change with the times, but the formula and approach of Packer Shoes has hardly budged at all.
Good product and friendly service reign supreme, but knowing how to handle the peripherals is a little more of a tricky process. Freshness recently sat down with Mike to discuss the past and current state of the sneaker business and what it takes not only to survive, but to flourish in the increasingly diluted and ultra-competitive field. Keep reading after the jump to check out some pics from around the shop, and you can get over to Freshness now for a full interview with one of the true OG’s of the sneaker retail game.