Converse opens flagship store in San Fran

SAN FRANCISCO — Converse is adding to its roster of stores in key metropolitan areas with the opening of its first location in San Francisco, bringing the leading footwear brand's total of inline locations in the U.S. to five.



Located on Market Street in the heart of the Union Square shopping district, the 8,200-sq.-ft. store will be the brand's largest retail space, offering consumers an assortment of Converse footwear, apparel and accessories, as well as Converse Customization, a personalization service that lets shoppers design one-of-a-kind Converse sneakers and clothing. Using iPads, customers will be able to browse more than 150 Converse-curated graphics, including designs that tie back to the San Francisco community, to create their own product.



“Opening a retail store in San Francisco is a perfect fit for Converse, a city with a creative spirit similar to ours," said Jonathan Tappan, general merchandise manager, direct-to-consumer for Converse. "We’re thrilled to offer local consumers an outlet to unleash their creativity and participate in our brand through our in-store customization and various music and art programs supported by the brand.”



The two-floor building will offer All Star, Cons and Jack Purcell collections on both floors, and women’s, kids and premium footwear collections on the second floor. Customers can check out the premium footwear collections in the Ellis Room, a gallery-like space on the second floor which displays the shoes alongside the work of local artists. The brand will also host music performances and events in the Ellis Room.



Converse is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in more than 160 countries and through 79 company-owned retail locations in the U.S.