The New Flight Club - NYC

By Christian Grant-Fields, Dime Magazine

Back in Dime #25 (Aug. 2006), we ranked our Top 25 sneaker spots. Heading the list at #1 was Flight Club New York – a Greenwich Village consignment shop with the most ridiculous stock of exclusive Jordans and AF1s found anywhere in the world. Even before we anointed FNCY, word about the store had grown over the past few years, and the place was routinely packed with sneakerheads all day, every day. That popularity allowed the FC crew to open up spots in Tokyo and Los Angeles.

So you can imagine the looks on their faithful patrons’ faces when they rolled up to 254 Green Street this fall and the doors were closed. The store’s regular customers soon found out that their go-to spot for exclusive kicks had moved further downtown into a larger space.

Not too far from Ground Zero on Nassau Street in lower Manhattan lies the new, bigger, badder Flight Club NY. Like the original shop, the walls are still stocked from floor to ceiling with exclusive kicks, and there’s a special wall that holds the boutique’s most treasured footwear behind glass. Wall space that isn’t occupied by hot kicks doubles as a projection screen for movies (kung fu flicks are the resident favorite), and the store’s hardwood floor – complete with a Flight Club logo – is absolutely insane.

“When you first walk in you might be overwhelmed because it’s so different than our first location,” says Chris Vidal, one of Flight Club’s staff of certified sneakerheads. “Our new spot is double the size of the original location. We have the hardwood floors and the projector on the wall; people like the new look.”

Along with the facelift, the store also now carries adidas, Puma, and Converse, and plan on increasing their inventory even more. And for all of those who miss the old Flight Club and think your beloved boutique has gone “Hollywood,” don’t worry – the original locale in Greenwich Village is opening back up right after it receives a facelift.

Flight Club is located at 120 Nassau Street, New York, New York, 10038. Store hours are 11-6:30 Monday to Friday, 12-7 Saturdays, and 12-6 Sundays. For more info, visit www.flightclubny.com or www.flightclubla.com.