So I should have mentioned this a while ago, but Nike has retro'd the Nike Air Penny 2. Not sure what to really say about this shoe, if you don't already know what it is you're probably not interested. It's still as visually pleasing as it was in 1996 with the small exception of the reduced-size air pocket. Actually that might not be a small exception because it does significantly alter the look of the midsole, but this is a classic so stop complaining and just go get it. It's already out in stores and available at FootLocker.com, which coincidentally is where I got the photo. If you're younger than 22 you might be wondering why Anfernee Hardaway has his own shoe. As it turns out, he was a pretty solid player in the 90's before he started consistently breaking every bone in his body twice a month.

Foot Locker purchased CCS, dELiA*s direct-to-consumer website for $102 million. CCS is the leading retailer in the United States that sells skateboard footwear, apparel and accessories through catalogs and the Internet with revenues expected to exceed $80 million in 2009. The target customer of CCS is a teenaged boy who actively participates in the sport of skateboarding. CCS, founded in California in 1985, is currently managed by a strong merchant team located in New York City, led by Susan Van Arsdale who will remain with CCS as managing director.

“The impending purchase of CCS is in line with one of our strategic priorities -- pursuing the acquisition of athletic footwear and apparel retailers that are compatible with our existing portfolio of businesses,” stated Matthew D. Serra, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Foot Locker, Inc.

“We believe that expanding our offerings in the skateboard category will allow us to broaden our appeal to the teenaged male, providing an exciting growth opportunity for our Company. The combination of the highly regarded CCS management team and our well-run Footlocker.com/Eastbay operation is expected to provide significant benefits to both businesses.”

"Our Company's strong financial position enables us to complete this opportunistic transaction in a timely manner as an all-cash transaction," continued Mr. Serra. It is expected that the agreed upon acquisition will be accretive to Foot Locker, Inc.'s diluted earnings per share within the first full year of operation."

Barclays Capital is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to Foot Locker, Inc.

Foot Locker, Inc. is a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 3,700 stores in 21 countries in North America, Europe and Australia.

Now, to all the guys out there who make fun of women and their shoes, you need to see these clips about Air Jordans and sneaker collecting. Trust me. And make sure you have your eyes wide open when they talk to one of the designers of Nike's Air Jordans, because you aren't gonna be able to believe them. Ha, ha.

Long live Dunks (even though Air Force Ones look better when they're customized).

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Amazingly, I never heard the fart machine but only heard everyone else start laughing so hysterically that I started laughing too.  So hard, in fact, that I got into some kind of laughter-interrupted-by-snorting thing.

And then it was twilight zone time because I was standing there laughing and knowing I didn't know what I was laughing about but completely enjoying it because getting to the point of that laughter-interrupted-by snorting thing is always lots of fun.

A few years ago I was in Mid-Missouri where I was raised and gradatued from high school.  While there I went to the mall and, as I was walking by a Foot Locker shoe store, someone yelled,

Hey!  Hey!  How are you!

I turned to see a guy I in a little Foot Locker outfit and realized he and I had graduated from the same high school.  Someone I had never known well, but we said hello to anyway.

A few days later I was in Southern Missouri where I now live and walking through the local mall with a friend.  As I was doing so I went past a Foot Locker shoe store and someone yelled,

Hey!  Hey!  How are you!

And it was the same fuckin' guy!

I turned to my friend and said,

Holy shit!  Where the hell are we?

She said,

At the mall.

I grabbed her arm and shook it and desperately whined,

No!  No!  What city are we in?

She kind of pushed me away and said,

What's wrong with you?

And the guy I graduated from high school with came running over and said,

I just got transferred down here a few days ago.  To this store.  Holy crap!  Are you OK?  You're completely white!

And I was apparently not OK because that was such a strangely huge twilight zone event that I remember it to this day and have always wondered why running into the same person at two different Foot Locker shoe stores nearly caused me to either pass out in or run screaming from a mall.

As I was going through a few papers at my desk last night I was also watching the Democratic Convention.  CNN was interviewing a bunch of yahoos who were whining about the fact that the Democrats have not yet started beating the crap out of the Republicans.

I could not agree more.

I'm about the last person on earth who's up for kicking a dog when it's down.  But, seriously, if I had anything to do with it I would be pushing for giving the microphone to someone who was willing to say 3 things,

1. The Republicans are scurrilous dogs
2. Those scurrilous dogs are down
3. Now let's all put on our shit kickers and kick some shit

As Michelle Obama was speaking, I actually started thinking that something could happen.

And then that twilight zone thing happened because instead of thinking,

That's just some broad telling us some slightly interesting story about her family,

I started thinking,

Hey!  Something's gonna happen here!

I was suddenly simply sitting at my desk staring at the TV and slightly spinning around over the papers I had been going through.  It was the twilight zone due to the fact that I thought something was going to happen when, in fact, absolutely nothing was happening or going to happen any time soon.

Thank goodness for the yahoos CNN was interviewing because they started

• whining
• complaining and
• sniveling

about how the Democrats have not yet started kicking the shit out of the Republicans and I started getting a fantastic visual of how I think those being interviewed on CNN or any other news network should be forced to respond to questions from the show's host in new and interesting ways with the ultimate goal of viewers like Yours Truly being able to avoid their inconsequential analysis:

• Host:  "Anyone want to whine?"

Guests uniformly sit upon whoopie cushions

• Host:  "Anyone want to complain?"

Guests uniformly stick one hand up their shirts, place that hand in their armpit and begin flapping their arm to make that same little farting noise my older brother used to make when we were in elementary school.

• Host:  "Anyone want to offer inconsequential commentary?"

Guests stare in unison at the camera and then giggle hysterically as they press their fart machine remotes and 'special sounds' are heard throughout the convention center where they've hidden their fart machines.

At this point I suppose they could be allowed to talk because I think it would be really fun to hear them saying,

I got Michigan!  I got Michigan!  Look at them jumping out of their seats!

and

Oh my gaaaaaaaaaaaawd!  Look at the Rhode Island delegate looking around!

and

Look!  Look!  The West Virginia delegates are blaming the North Carolina delegates!  Oh! Oh!  Did you see that lady bitch slap the guy in the red hat?!

Just thinking of it caused me to have a mild version of that laughing-interrupted-by-snorting thing go on so I:

• Stopped going through the papers on my desk
• Turned off my desk lights and
• Went upstairs to do something more interesting than
• watching the Democratic Convention and
• was glad I did so because it was
• really time to get some sleep

And now I'm sitting here thinking about how simultaneously horrifying and hilarious those twilight zone moments are and how I really over think them when they happen.

And what a relief it is when I stop over thinking them and just move on to getting some sleep or doing the laundry or returning phone calls or going through some papers on my desk.

And I'm also thinking about a fart machine Ben and I used to have that provided hours of childish entertainment.

Especially when used in unison with that bizarro Cheerleader Barbie speaker box thingy Ben's brother gave me for Christmas a few years ago because it is absolutely laughter-interrupted-snorting time when coordinated just like this:

Two four six eight, who do we appreciate!

Pffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffttt...

That's alright!  That's OK!  We're gonna beat you an-eee-way!

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaffffttt...

Pork chop!  Pork chop!  Greeeeeeeasy!  Greasy!  We're gonna beat you eeeeeeasy!  Easy!

Pfffffffwwwwwaaaahhhhhhfffffft...

Stores Closing: 120

Why? The bedding- and home-furnishing retailer said it plans to close 120 underperforming stores in its chain of 589 locations as it filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May.

Disney Stores

Stores Closing: 98

Why? The Mouse wants control. Disney is taking back its stores from a subsidiary of Children's Place and is scaling back as it restructures because sales have been dropping over the last year.

Stock Quote & News: HD

Foot Locker

Stores Closing: 140

Why? With income down 78 percent in 2007, the shoe retailer is running for the hills. It's putting 140 more of its 3,785 stores on the chopping block in addition to the 274 it closed last year.

Stock Quote & News: FL

Wilson's Leather

Stores Closing: 160

Why? With "substantial doubt" about its ability to stay in business, the company is hoping women will bail it out. It's shutting the majority of its mall-based stores, laying off employees and turning the remaining 100 mall stores into accessory boutiques called Studio.

Stock Quote & News: WLSN

Stores Closing: 15

Why? In December, Home Depot said it would cut 950 jobs and close three call centers that handle orders for home installation. The next month, is said it would cut 500 jobs at its headquarters. Now, amid a slumping U.S. economy and housing market, it announced in May it will close 15 underperforming U.S. stores.

Stock Quote & News: HD

Ann Taylor

Stores Closing: 117

Why? Times are tough for luxury clothes brands and Ann Taylor is finding it hard to compete. Last December sales were down 9.4 percent, leading to the closing of 16 percent of the company's store count by 2010.

Stock Quote & News: ANN

Stores Closing: 154 Demo Stores

Why? In Jan. 2008, Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. said it will close its 154 Demo stores as a result of a a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-apparel brand. This follows the closure of 74 underperforming Demo stores last May.

Stock Quote & News: PSUN

Stores Closing: 27

Why? Slow sales and rising utilities costs put the crunch on these peanut-loving restaurants, especially in Florida where the company closed seven out of eight locations, which had been performing poorly since the 2004-2005 hurricane season.

Stores Closing: 105

Why? Diamonds may be forever, but maybe not so Zales. The poor economy is taking its toll on luxury vendors and so the jeweler is closing 50 kiosks and 55 full-size stores -- leaving it with 2,145 locations -- by the end of July and trimming its headquarters staff by 20 percent to weather the economic storm.

Stores Closing: 25

Why? After shedding 79 stores in 2007, sales are still declining. So the furniture and home accessory specialist is planning another cut back – this time closing just 25 more stores and selling its corporate headquarters.
Stock Quote & News: PIR

Stores Closing: 120

Why? Everything's for sale as this jeweler closes up shop. It's liquidating $400 million in baubles, closing 473 stores and laying off employees as it goes through bankruptcy proceedings.

Stores Closing: 140

Why? Dell keeps losing market share to As Hewlett-Packard -- it has slipped into second place in PC sales behind HP -- so the company that pioneered direct sales is turning away from the strategy and refocusing its efforts on sales in big box stores, so the mall kiosks had to go.

Stock Quote & News: DELL

Stores Closing: 2

Why? The company that owns two Seattle-area stores thought the itshome furnishing stores weren't performing as well as its other holdings, Continental Furniture and Thomasville Home Furnishings, so it's closing time. That puts $5 million worth of inventory for sale at its other locations.

Stores Closing: 12

Why? Due to a difficult year in the nation's housing market, the Pennsylvania-based building materials company closed a dozen stores in December.

Stores Closing: 90

Why? Things are not looking good for the 31-year-old company, which just filed for bankruptcy protection. The New York Times reported that the retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but about half of all its outlets are performing poorly and should be closed "as soon as possible."
Stock Quote & News: SHRP

Stores Closing: 31

Why? The auto parts company laid off 550 employees as it shut down stores in November as part of a five-year strategic plan that will include a change in its mix of automotive products and adding "smaller neighborhood service shops."

Stock Quote & News: PBY

Stores Closing: 12 of 300+

Why? As part of a cost-cutting plan, the manufacturer and retailer of high-end home furnishings is closing 12 of its retail centers.

Stock Quote & News: ETH

Stores Closing: 28

Why? The drugstore chain announced in January that it was exiting the Las Vegas, Nev. market because the stores there had not been contributing to overall results. The company hasn't opened a new store in the Las Vegas area since 1999.

Stores Closing: 125

Why? As the nation's third-largest wireless carrier struggles to compete with AT&T and Verizon Wireless it has announced that it will reduce stores and cut 4,000 jobs.

Stock Quote & News: S

Stores Closing: 400 of 3,500

Why? The video rental company said it plans to close 400 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the bankrupt video rental chain closed last fall. Movie Gallery said the company will work with customers to try to transfer accounts to nearby locations.

Stock Quote & News: MOVIQ

Saks Stores Closing: 1

Why? The Saks Fifth Avenue store in the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale is the only one of 54 on the sales rack in this round of cutbacks – the company hasn't shed stores since it closed eight in 2004.

Stock Quote & News: SKS

Wickes Furniture Stores Closing: 38

Why? Furniture stores may be the canary in the cave for this recession. This regional retailer is in bankruptcy and so is closing stores and selling off $75 million in inventory.

Retailer: Sofa Express
Stores Closing: 44
Why? The Ohio-based furniture retailer sent notice in Dec. to stores saying the company was shuttering headquarters, closing stores and laying off workers due to their financial situation.

Stores Closing: 9

Why? According to a Dec. 28 2007 press release, Macy's is closing 9 locations due to declining sales. However, it expects to open 5 new stores in 2008 and 6 to 8 new locations are currently planned for 2009.

Retailer: Levitz Furniture
Stores Closing: 76
Why? Also in Dec., Levitz Furniture announced it is liquidating its assets and closing all 76 of its stores.

Stock Quote & News: M

Stores Closing: 103 stores will be sold or shut down

Why? In Dec. 2007, the Computer and electronics retailer announced it would start winding down its retail operations after being acquired by an investment firm, which is looking to sell the company's business and assets. The retail stores that don't sell will be shut down.

Stores Closing: 30 to 130

Why? Management of the national home-decor chain told analysts it intends to close 30 underperforming stores during the fourth quarter, which ended in January. It is considering closing even more stores (up to 100) in the next 18 months, saying it wants to focus on stores not based in malls.

Stock Quote & News: KIRK

Stores Closing: 10

Why? The 21-year-old discount chain based in Minnesota finds times too tough to sell even dollar buys, despite the conventional wisdom that people shop at these stores more in bad economic climates. The costs of goods and fuel are just too expensive, and customers are cutting back.

Stores Closing: 150

Why? CoStar.com reports that Charming Shoppes, Inc. is closing 150 underperforming stores, laying off 150 employees and reducing the amount of stores it will open in 2009. The closures will leave Charming Shoppes with approximately 900 Fashion Bug stores, 923 Lane Bryant stores and 471 Catherine's stores.
Stock Quote & News: CHRS

Retailer: Talbot's Kids, Mens
Stores Closing: 78
Why? As sales continue to disappoint, Talbot's will close 78 children's and men's apparel stores to focus on its core middle-aged female customer.

Retailer: Sigrid Olsen
Stores Closing: 54
Why? Part of parent company Liz Claiborne Inc., the 20-year-old line that began as resort wear has been losing money over the past several years.

Stores Closing: 23

Why? According to the Boston Herald, New York & Co. is shutting its chain of 23 Jasmine Sola upscale women's clothing stores that got its start in Harvard Square in 1970. The decision follows a battle over sexual misconduct charges at the company.

Stock Quote & News: NWY

Stores Closing: No Physical Outlets

Why? The holiday shopping season wasn't bright enough to keep afloat Lillian Vernon, which filed for bankruptcy in February. While the online and catalog retailer doesn't have any stores to maintain, rising shipping and inventory costs cut into profits.

I can remember going into Woolworth's as a little girl with a fist full of change. I would go over to the counter that had little compartments filled with tiny toys like jacks and tiny plastic babies. I would stand there for a long time and stare at everything they had for the longest time. This was a very hard decision for me to make on which toy should I buy. Oh...the stress I endured trying to pick out the right little goodie to buy.

By 1997, the original chain Woolworth founded had been reduced to 400 stores, and other divisions of the company began to be more profitable the the original chain. The original chain went out of business in 1997, as the firm began it's transition into FOOT LOCKER, INC.! Whoda thunk?

It was kinda nice seeing the building and the artifacts. I went down memory lane for about an hour that day. Does anyone have any memories of Woolworth's?

Footlocker

Footaction

Champs

J. Long, you got it.  Thanks to headshoes on NT for the coupon links.

lik dot