SPACE INVADER: CONVERSE

When Converse says they want their brand-new store to be a "total shopping experience," they're not kidding around. Taking inspiration from their sports history, the footwear giant's first specialty shop in Manhattan is a 7,000 square-foot-space decked out with real gym bleachers, a scoreboard, and an American flag made of 648 pairs of colored shoes.

As far as the offerings go, it's stocked with tons of apparel for guys and girls, including graphic t-shirts, jeans, and leather jackets, in addition to accessories like watches and sunglasses that are exclusive to the location.

And since it's Converse, you can expect sneakers- and lots of them. The NYC outpost has the largest offering of Converse footwear in the world from brands like Chuck Taylor, John Varvatos, One Star, and Star Chevron (including styles in luxe materials like leather and suede). But the coolest part is by far the customization station, where you can choose to stamp your new sneakers with over 200 different graphics, including limited-edition designs by local artists.

So mark your calendars for Friday, when the store officially opens. But just a warning: one you step foot inside, you may never want to leave.

Converse, 560 Broadway, NYC.