Mr Joe

I used to be a «Sneakerhead» I can’t stand this term, but then I grew out of that phase. I would frequent Mr. Joes because they have selective sneakers for the following prices: 2 for $ 80, 2 for $ 100 and 2 for $ 150. Anyhow, about two weeks ago, my Adidas Crazy 8s that I use for basketball finally broke down on me and I needed a new pair. So I came here after many years. I wnated to take advantage of the 2 for $ 100 Crazy 8’s deal, but they only had my size in one color. They charge $ 60 for one pair, as oppose to $ 50, if I would have gotten two.
Anyhow, decent sneaker store near Penn Station, the workers can often be overbearing in regards to a sale, but I would definitely recommend this store for kicks.

This spot has almost everything and anything you need while in NYC. Prices are simply the best and the folks there are fantastic… I make it a habit to stop in when I’m in the city.

There’s a lot of ghetto-​fabulous and kicks stores on this stretch of 8^th Ave — so treat Mr. Joe as your guidepoint and walk around the area. Way better selection than the wack shit on Broadway.
If you’re into sneakers, this area is a good place to start (without travelling to Queens or Brooklyn):
1) Sneaker selection is huge — lots of kicks that were slept on or simply passed through the big box stores. On my last visit, nearly every recent AM95 colourway were on the shelves — lots of 1^st run new releases as well.
2) Prices are usually a bit cheaper than the boutiques and big box sneakershops (i.e. Footlocker and Footaction on 34^th around the corner) — but at most, it’s the same price.
3) Most of the stuff is genuine in this area — and the fakes are so horribly fake at the ghetto shops, even a n00b shouldn’t intimidated.
Anyways — Mr. Joe is a good joint to start because of the upstairs clearance section. It was picked dry on my last visit, but I found the entire NB China Mask series for $ 40 a pair a couple years back and snagged some AM90 Currents on the cheap.
The stores in this area are messy and cluttered and service sucks — but that’s sneaker-​hunting (junior level, at least) for ya.

Some of the sales here are incredible. Where else in Manhattan can 2 pairs of Timbs cost $ 80? That aren’t fake of course. Mr Joe usually has the freshest kicks. Even the hard to get Jordan 7 Bordeaux’s were on these shelves. Most of the clothing is geared towards the ghetto fabulous. Plenty of North Face, South Poles and Sean Jeans. Though they do have some nice business shoes such as Kenneth Coles as well.

i’ve bought at least 10 pair there. i love the selection, always changing and in what i think is good taste. just bought a friend two pairs, one looks like a prada dress shoe but is a sneaker, and the other is brown suede pumas with a yellow swoosh. total: $ 75. reasonably nice staff. they have two locations on 8^th ave, one by 35^th, and one up the street, at 37^th.
ghetto? maybe urban is more apt.

Sorry, I just couldn’t find much to love at Mr Joe. Seemingly an OMG-​themed knock-​off that also happened to carry shoes, the prices were exactly the same as those as Foot Locker or Footaction. The shoe selection caters to the more «ghetto» shoe look. Messy looking store, with very average prices, there’s no reason to visit Mr Joe when there’s better shoe shopping options out there. Move on.

the ULTIMATE retail therapy for sneakers you don’t need that won’t make you groan when you get your credit card bill. and of course, shoes that will compliment the cute factor.
this urban store is sandwiched between an «adult» store and a hardware store, and is surprisingly spacious. they usually have super sales on sneakers, sandals, and even stilettos. service is equally stellar, not stuffy and certainly speedy.
Timbs, Nikes, Converse, even Baby Phat — whatever your little heart desires in that moment of need when only retail therapy could save your suffering soul. Bring a friend or buy in bulk: the 2-​fer specials can’t be beat!
I also recently noticed there’s a clearance section on the 2^nd floor, but that little voice inside my head started bleeping «danger, danger!» because the prospect of even better deals than the current stuff on the floor had an overwhelming effect on me.