Suzanne Rozdeba Michael SpitzYes, that’s Michael Jordan posting up on East Ninth Street.
He’s part of the display window at Mr. Throwback, a “funky little crazy store in the East Village” that may soft-open tomorrow, according to its owner.
Michael Spitz, a 30-year-old Murray Hill resident with a background in sports management, said his shop at 428 East Ninth Street is inspired by his childhood in Bellmore, Long Island.
In January, he began peddling some of his old clothing, which he had been selling online, at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, and then at the Dekalb Market in Brooklyn.
At the storefront, between First Avenue and Avenue A, he’ll sell vintage Starter jackets, acid-wash Levis jeans, concert tees, army jackets, and vintage toys and video games.
“Most of the stuff I’ve collected from when I was 13 and I still have it and I’ve worn it and it’s the thrill of the find and the nostalgia of an old Knicks jersey that you wear to the Knicks game,” he said. “It’s pretty much what I would wear.”
In addition to the gear – which might range from a $10 tee shirt to a replica of Michael Jordan’s 1987 All-Star jersey worth somewhere between $500 to $1,000 – the store will take items on consignment and also repair worn sneakers.
“In the vintage sneaker world,” said Mr. Spitz, “this is a massive business moneymaker. For kids who are 15 years old and into fashion to spend $300 to $400 on a new pair of Jordans because they didn’t wait in line – if they can buy a used one from me and fix it for another couple of dollars, I can get it back into new condition so it looks like it’s a brand new sneaker.”
Mr. Throwback will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Browse the shop’s Website for a preview of the goods.
