Competitive Foot Still the Perfect Fit in Oak Park

The Competitive Foot began in Western Springs, but after that location closed in July the Oak Park store has taken on more inventory and continues to be a staple in the community. 

Oak Park's store opened in 1977, three years after the Western Springs location, as a unique idea: a store completely dedicated to athletic shoes, a first in Illinois. 

And while that idea has lasted nearly 40 years and remains alive and well at the Oak Park location, owner Tim Eggert said it was sad to close the original shop. 

"It’s something we didn’t want to do, but as I near the senior citizen age it’s something I needed to do, cutting back my hours," he said. "I didn’t just want to get out entirely and retire though." 

The Western Springs location closed July 29, and Eggert said some customers came in one last time. 

"A lot of people came in and said, ‘Oh, I’ve been coming here for 30 years,’ and we really appreciated that," Eggert said. "Most people want to shop local and it comes from good service and experienced service. A lot of people know us well and we know them on a first-name basis." 

Eggert said some customers have already come to visit the Oak Park location at 102 N. Marion St. That store, which is a bit bigger, now has all the inventory of the Western Springs shop and offers the same service, Eggert said. 

He also said it's important to be a part of the community, and The Competitive Foot does that by sponsoring races, partnering with the Oak Park Runners Club and offering other special events.

Basketball—and other sports, including track and baseball—are what originally interested Eggert in opening an athletic shoe store. He had heard about such stores in other states and decided to take a chance with one. The introduction of Nike in the '70s and the growing television exposure of the 1972 and 1976 Olympics helped the store, but even as larger companies and brands have been created since, The Competitive Foot has remained locally. 

"Most people still want that service and to be fitted," Eggert said. "They want to be taken care of and they want the right shoe."
 
Learn more about the Oak Park Competitive Foot here.