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Today, the sneaker retail landscape is much different than it was in the early 2000s as to stay on top of current releases you’ll have to stay glued to your phone or PC, sit in virtual queues, and pray the site doesn’t crash before you reach checkout. For kids of the 90s, waiting for the Eastbay catalog to arrive in the mail and placing your phone order was a highlight of the month and was the way (aside from Nike Talk) to remain on top of what was coming from Nike, Jordan, and adidas. Unfortunately, the esteemed retailer who created plenty of childhood memories for sneakerheads is set to close for good once we ring in the new year.
While this news came out of nowhere, it was quite obvious that the retailer wouldn’t survive in the current-day sneaker world as retail locations closed left and right and Foot Locker and Champs Sports continued to grow. On the FAQ page for Eastbay, it states “We're saying goodbye to Eastbay at the end of December 2022. We encourage you to shop at champssports.com to find great deals for your athletic shoes, clothing, and more.”
Customers who have placed orders with Eastbay recently will still receive their packages, however, come January 1st, 2023 you’ll no longer be able to place an order through the website. With the company being owned by Foot Locker Inc., expect the remaining inventory that was held by Eastbay to begin to appear on Foot Locker, Champs, and other retailers under the umbrella of FTL.
As we enter a new chapter in the sneaker retail era with Eastbay’s closure, those who experienced the retailer at its height will have fond memories of flipping through the catalog, catching now-sought-after sneakers for big discounts, and begging their parents to get the newest releases. Check below for some images of vintage Eastbay catalogs and keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Eastbay
