Marcus Jordan, the youngest son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, is creating his own legacy. He’s the owner of the first and only Jordan brand sneaker store, named Trophy Room. The retail store located at Disney Springs Marketplace in Orlando, Florida, offers Jordan, Nike and Upper Deck products and also showcases vintage Michael Jordan memorabilia, including family photos and one-of-a-kind sneakers, on display.
The Trophy Room boutique was inspired by the Jordan family’s trophy room, which was centrally located in the family mansion in Chicago. It was “home to family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply as a space for family, friends, and visitors to congregate.” And it served as a “point of inspiration, shared by a father with his children.”
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Marcus, 26, played basketball and he is a savvy businessman. The store officially opened on May 23, 2016, at 5:23 a.m. EST and is quite popular in the entertainment circle and for sneakerheads.
On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, the limited-edition, Air Jordan + Trophy Room XVI, Trophy Room 16, sneakers were released. A twist on a classic silhouette, they were available in tonal French Blue. The Trophy Room XVI marked the first time the XVI model has been released since 2008. The original Air Jordan XVI’s were designed by Nike senior footwear designer, Wilson Smith. Smith incorporated several materials from classic releases such as the clear rubber sole found in Retros V, VI & XI and also incorporating patent leather.
“The Trophy Room XVI resonated so well with me because of the premium details incorporated in the model. The patent leather toe, the icy sole, the premium leather used on the shroud. All of those elements truly make this silhouette a classic. For TROPHY ROOM to lead the return of the XVI with help from DJ Khaled is an honor,” says Marcus.
They retailed for $275 and sold out on the same day as release. Read what the millennial entrepreneur has to say about business, aspiration and his dad.
What is your formal educational background?
I attended the University of Central Florida. I entered in 2009 and graduated in 2013, I am proud to say I graduated on time. I majored in hospitality management. It was all about Disney and a fantastic program.
What made you choose retail?
Growing up in the world of footwear, because of who my dad is, it was kind of a no-brainer. It is something I have wanted to do for a very long time and the pieces fell into places to be able to bring the concept here.
What were you thinking about at 5:23 a.m. on May 23, 2016?
I was going crazy. The cash registers went down and we had people waiting to get in an couldn’t. It was a great turnout. We had over 1,200 people. It was great to see the culture here in Orlando and the people travel in from outside Orlando to see the store.
Tell us about those Trophy Room XVI’s you’re sporting?
It was great to have DJ Khaled to be a part of the promotions. It was a long time coming but definitely impactful to say the least.
Are there any new promotions or specials for us to look forward to this holiday season?
We have a lot of Jordan releases on the way. The True Blue 3s and the retro styles our consumers love we’ll have through the holiday season. We are actually trying to gear up for our Trophy Room exclusives to be featured on our online store.
How do you use social media to keep fans and customers current who live outside the Orlando area?
We have our MJ Monday posts that we tie in to my dad and leading up to Saturday releases. We’re definitely trying to build or impact.
What are some next steps for Trophy Room?
Tying in the local market and getting out to the concierges.
Is dad proud? How involved is he with running the flagship?
Yes, he is. We meet once a month.
For more information, please visit trophyroomstore.com and follow on social media @trophyroomstore.
