CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — When he was 15 years old, Garry Thaniel got his first job at McDonald's so he could own his first pair of Air Jordans.
"The role that Jordan 1 plays, (that) Michael Jordan plays … he's obviously a GOAT on the basketball court, but he's also a GOAT of sneaker culture," said Thaniel, eBay’s global general manager of sneakers and streetwear.
On Thursday, Thaniel’s passion and his profession will come together with the opening of "The ’85 Shop" in Fulton Market, which will honor the iconic Jordan 1 sneaker as well as Chicago’s contributions to the sneaker community.
“If you look at the design talent and influence coming out of Chicago — whether it's Joe Freshgoods or Don C — Chicago is such an influential place for sneaker culture and design culture in general,” he said.
The store will be part retail shop and part museum, Thaniel said. It’ll feature a complete collection of original 1985 Air Jordan 1s in every colorway, a never-before-released Jordan 1 sample and other iconic sneakers from the era, including the Puma Clyde and the Adidas Forum.
Overall, the shop will focus on the origin story of “the shoe that started it all," Thaniel said.
“The way (the Jordan 1 has) stood the test of time as one of the most iconic silhouettes (and) one of the continued popular silhouettes that’s always in style and always fits, you know, from ’85 all the way to 2023 and beyond, is pretty amazing,” he said.
As a former Chicagoan, Thaniel believed bringing the ’85 Shop to Chicago was obvious, in part due to the shoe’s classic Chicago colorway.
“Not only do we hope people leave with something and see the value in coming and getting some dope sneakers,” he said. “But really the history and what is seen as some of the iconic collections and sneaker culture will be on display.”
There will also be opportunities to bid for some of the pieces on eBay, Thaniel said.
Sneakerheads can visit the shop Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A 10-day online auction began Thursday.
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