Converse’s new store in San Francisco is big on customization

San Francisco - Converse has opened its first Northern California location — and its largest store to date — in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district. With 8,200 sq.ft. of selling space, the store offers a comprehensive assortment of Converse footwear, apparel and accessories, along with an interactive personalization process for designing one-of-a-kind Converse sneakers and clothing.

The “Converse Customization” customization process allows customers to screen-print their own designs or graphics selected from the company’s catalog on various styles of Converse footwear, apparel and accessories. Using iPads, customers can browse more than 150 Converse-curated graphics, including designs that tie back to the San Francisco community, to create their own product by adding grommets, different colored shoe laces and more.

“Opening a retail store in San Francisco is a perfect fit for Converse, a city with a creative spirit similar to ours. 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,” said Jonathan Tappan, general merchandise manager of direct to consumer for Converse.

The store’s design pays tribute to the building’s original structure as seen through authentic and raw industrial elements, including original concrete and tile throughout. The center staircase is located at the center of the store, providing customers the opportunity to shop two floors of curated destinations for Converse’s All Star, Cons and Jack Purcell collections.

The second floor — which houses women’s, kids and premium footwear collections — includes a gallery-like space for the display of work of local artists, in-store music performances and events.