The newly-opened retail space was designed to propel the community that helped build The Marathon brand
The Crenshaw Rec reimagines the traditional retail experience as a basketball-led community resource rooted in sport, culture and connection.
Footlocker
This past Friday (Aug. 22), NIKE and Footlocker offered a sneak peek into the new community-based retail space in partnership with Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Brand. Located in the heart of South L.A., The Crenshaw Rec brings together creative voices from the neighborhood and helps push the late revolutionary and musician’s vision for prosperity and economic growth in his part of the city.
“We’re appreciative of the opportunity to work with Nike and Footlocker at this location,” Blacc Sam told the crowd at 3222 W. Slauson Ave. “As kids, we used to be in this parking lot, so to see everyone that came together to spend some real money and make this spot possible is incredible.”
Inside the sprawling new shop, photos of local sports heroes and community leaders fill the walls. In one corner, the Crenshaw High School jersey that Kobe Bryant famously wore during an episode of Moesha floats behind glass. Across the room in a customized cafeteria-style section for local designers, new clothing pieces from Supervsn Studios founder Gavin Mathieu capture the gritty but stylish spirit of the West Coast.
Zarna Surti, Vice President Creative Director at NIKE North America, spoke to VIBE during the guided tour. “This is really a space designed for the neighborhood kids to utilize,” she explained. “We’re going to have a music academy, run clubs, and a barbershop, so it’s meant to be a space with and for the community.” Student athletes from Crenshaw High are also highlighted front and center in a section dedicated to the historic school’s basketball team. Exclusive merch and memorabilia from the Cougars are on display throughout the store, with NIKE’s support continuing through the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond.
As the preview concluded, familiar faces from the Los Angeles hip-hop community flooded into the venue, including DJ Hed, Chase Infinite, Fuzzy, The Marathon’s Jorge Peniche and, of course, Bino Rideaux, who took attendees through a personal listening session for his newly released album with Nipsey, Prolific. The project serves as Hussle’s first posthumous LP since his untimely passing in 2019. “This album was a long time coming, but I know Hussle would be proud that we’re keeping things moving,” Bino told VIBE before hitting the stage to introduce the songs.
Before the Cali sun disappeared into the night, local artist Gustavo Zermeño Jr. put the finishing touches on two sprawling murals that welcome visitors into the space. The Crenshaw visionary, whose legacy made this space a reality, is depicted in one of the paintings. Hussle is shown overlooking a group of children playing in peace, reminding us that even amid chaos, true harmony can be achieved when dreamers and activists take action into their own hands. Rest in peace, Neighborhood Nip.
The Crenshaw Rec by Foot Locker officially opened Saturday, August 22.
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Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Photos by Tony K. -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Footlocker -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Footlocker -
Footlocker, Nike Open ‘The Crenshaw Rec’ in L.A.
Image Credit: Footlocker
