While I wasn't able to make the CBJ game tonight I did however get the opportunity to pay the NHL Store in Manhattan New York a visit.
Let me start off by saying that experience was fantastic. The store was beautiful and the staff at this store was unbelievable. I'm not sure if it was because we were there at the tail end of the day and it wasn't as busy or the fact that they seemed a bit in awe that "Columbus Blue Jackets fans" were there.....or maybe it just boiled down to the fact that they were just good people..... regardless, Store Manager John Leguillow (he gave me permission to post that) and his staff were absolutely first class!!!.
Hell, they even turned on the CBJ game with audio while we were there and gave us a personal tour of the NHL Live studio which you'll see pics of below.
Yep those are NHL branded Reebok shoes... and no, there were no Blue Jackets sneaks. In fact Blue Jackets merchandise was as scarce as water in the desert in this store. Just another example of how much work the Jackets have ahead of them before they become a "destination" NHL team.
I will say though that the pic of the back of Nash jersey with the "+ hope" was the first thing you see when you walk into the store. Other than that though lots of Penguins, Bruins, Flyers, Wings, Blackhawks and Rangers gear... Really it was basically the teams that Versus and NBC always push.
There was also some pretty cool throwback stuff with the Hartford Whalers and Quebec Nordiques branded shirts and such.
We also walked past Madison Square Garden which is where that pic came from. Hey for $10 bucks I could have made it in for a Knicks game. Not a chance -- my first game there will be a Rangers game!
Anyhow it was definitely worth the journey to get over there and as I said John and his staff couldn't have been more welcoming which I'm very grateful for. I didn't even have to ask for the tour of the studio -- he offered that up. Very cool and I'd definitely recommend a visit if you're in the area.
-LTL
