Competitive Foot Closes, Still Open in Oak Park

The Competitive Foot opened in 1974 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, opened in 1977, 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 lived in the La Grange area previously and recalled playing basketball twice a week at Lyons Township High School. The store always sponsored the Tower Trot and other local races, making it a visible part of the community. 

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 was a staple in town. 

"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."

He encouraged local customers to visit the Oak Park store. "We’ve been here a long time, and we will continue to do that."

Learn more about the Oak Park Competitive Foot here.