Eastbay is a leading world supplier of
athletic footwear, apparel and sports equipment. It was established to meet the performance needs of local high school and college athletes within Central Wisconsin. Originally viewed as a grassroots project, this venture grew into a worldwide direct mail catalog and internet sales conglomerate featuring top athletic brands such as
adidas,
ASICS®,
Reebok,
Converse,
New Balance, Saucony and
Nike The company began in 1980 when boyhood pals and high school coaches Art Juedes and Rick Gering set out to find
professional-quality shoes for their
athletes and ended up in business for themselves.
With little more than $7,000 worth of running shoes and a dream, the pair took to the road and set up shoe clinics near their Wausau, WI hometown. At each stop they educated attendees with the benefits of their shoes and provided descriptive price lists. Although an era ended when Eastbay founders Art and Rick retired on June 30, 1999, the business continues to thrive. Eastbay's parent company, Woolworth, also underwent revision in November 2001, changing its name to
Foot Locker, Inc., a reflection of its global commitment to the athletic footwear and apparel business.
