In New York City, a haven for sports enthusiasts has emerged in the form of Mr. Throwback, a store that's as nostalgic as it is vibrant. Behind its larger-than-life clientele and high-profile following lies a passion for retro sportswear and a desire to recreate childhood memories.
Founder Michael 'Mike' Spitz credits his love for basketball jerseys and sports memorabilia from his own childhood as the driving force behind the store. "My store is actually based on my childhood bedroom," he reveals, explaining that he wanted to incorporate 90s nostalgia into every aspect of the shop. This sentiment rings true as customers flock to Mr. Throwback, drawn by the eclectic mix of jerseys, hats, sneakers, posters, and toys from the decade.
Initially, Spitz started selling his wares at local flea markets, but it wasn't long before word spread about the unique store. As he recounts, "People were like, 'wow, this is so cool. I grew up with this, or I have this. Do you buy?'" This sentiment has been echoed by celebrities such as Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet, who both stumbled upon Mr. Throwback after being featured in an ESPN article.
Spitz's approach to building the store has been centered around catering to diverse tastes, from hockey tees to wrestling magazines. He emphasizes that his goal is to provide a positive experience for customers, regardless of whether they make a purchase or not. "If you have a great experience somewhere, you're going to tell the world," he says. "If you have a bad experience, you're going to tell the world."
As Mr. Throwback continues to grow in popularity, it's clear that the store has become an institution for sports fans of all ages. With its nostalgic atmosphere and eclectic selection of retro sportswear, Mr. Throwback is poised to serve as a time capsule for future generations of enthusiasts.
Founder Michael 'Mike' Spitz credits his love for basketball jerseys and sports memorabilia from his own childhood as the driving force behind the store. "My store is actually based on my childhood bedroom," he reveals, explaining that he wanted to incorporate 90s nostalgia into every aspect of the shop. This sentiment rings true as customers flock to Mr. Throwback, drawn by the eclectic mix of jerseys, hats, sneakers, posters, and toys from the decade.
Initially, Spitz started selling his wares at local flea markets, but it wasn't long before word spread about the unique store. As he recounts, "People were like, 'wow, this is so cool. I grew up with this, or I have this. Do you buy?'" This sentiment has been echoed by celebrities such as Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet, who both stumbled upon Mr. Throwback after being featured in an ESPN article.
Spitz's approach to building the store has been centered around catering to diverse tastes, from hockey tees to wrestling magazines. He emphasizes that his goal is to provide a positive experience for customers, regardless of whether they make a purchase or not. "If you have a great experience somewhere, you're going to tell the world," he says. "If you have a bad experience, you're going to tell the world."
As Mr. Throwback continues to grow in popularity, it's clear that the store has become an institution for sports fans of all ages. With its nostalgic atmosphere and eclectic selection of retro sportswear, Mr. Throwback is poised to serve as a time capsule for future generations of enthusiasts.
I mean have you seen the jerseys?! they're like from another era! my fave is the one with the '95 Knicks logo, I had that same jersey back in the day when I was trying to score hoops with my squad 
. and can we talk about how awesome it is that Spike Lee himself walked into this store?! 
lowkey wanna be his friend lol. Spitz's vibe is so on point too, he really got the whole retro thing down pat 
. I've been to like 3 stores already since they opened & I'm still finding new stuff to buy 
, my wallet might be crying but it's worth it! 
. It's just a store that sells old sports stuff, right? I mean, it's nostalgic and all that, but isn't nostalgia just code for 'stuff we used to like before things got too complicated'? And what's with the obsession over 90s jerseys? Can't people just buy new clothes now? The fact that celebrities are showing up at this store just makes me think they're more interested in taking a picture than actually buying anything. I guess some people will always want to cling to the past, but can we please move on to something new for once 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to take a trip back to the 90s with all that sick sports gear? It reminds me of when I was a kid and my dad used to take me to these crazy flea markets downtown where we'd find the most gnarly vintage sneakers. Man, those were the days... 
- it's like, nostalgia just hits you right in the feels! I was at one of their pop-up shops last year and I swear, I must've walked out with an extra 10 pounds from all the shopping 
. The fact that Mike Spitz put his heart and soul into recreating his childhood bedroom is super relatable. I'm a child of the 90s too, so I can appreciate how important it is to have these kinds of spaces where people can share their love for retro sports. It's not just about buying stuff, it's about being part of a community 
. And, honestly, Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet endorsing the store is pretty cool 
. I'm definitely gonna be checking out Mr. Throwback more often...
i mean whats the point of buying jerseys from like 20 yrs ago when u can get them online now? and ppl say its nostalgic but its just expensive tourist trap 
plus theres probably some rare item or 2 that's gonna break the bank 
. It's a real gem that's bringing people together through their love of sports 
.
. I'm totally stoked that they have wrestling magazines too 
! It's awesome that Mike Spitz is all about recreating those retro memories and making people happy, regardless if they buy something or not 
. I mean, who doesn't love browsing through old jerseys and posters of their favorite sports teams? 
The fact that celebrities like Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet are fans too is just a bonus 