Niketown will open its San Francisco store on Saturday, February 22nd, in Union Square. The three Niketowns Roadside America has visited have all been loud agglomerations of pathetic, bullying PR: a lame eatertainment experience without food.

San Francisco's store will have 5 floors and 50,000 square feet. The escalator will ride past Nike inspirational messages such as "Performance." Nike Swooshes are everywhere, including the ends of bolts. The third, fourth and fifth floors are part museum, but all 'buy our stuff.' No exciting memorabilia from non-Nike-contracted heroes should be expected.

Nike says that Niketown, San Francisco, is destined for greatness since Niketown, Chicago, is the #1 tourist attraction along that city's Miracle Mile. Which means more tourists go there than to Crate & Barrel. [02/16/1997]

February 10, 2012