Michael Le Avid sneakerhead with a storied history in retail, CEO and founder Ben Weprin of Graduate Hotels has created an homage to Nike history at the opening of his 15th location in the humble parts of Eugene, Oregon. Not too distant from the HQ of the Swoosh — a nickname also held by Weprin for his love of the brand — the front desk doubles as a display of 43 vintage pairs whose existence themselves tell a tale of the past and the resurgent trends of the present. Handpicked by the man himself with many an hour diligently logged scouring eBay, the vast collection that came to be holds legends like the Blazer Mid and Waffle Racer as well as gems like a ’72 Cortez, some official roller skates, and a pair of hiking boots. For a peek at a few of the starring models as well as what awaits you if you choose Graduate Eugene as your choice of stay, check below.
