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Kicks Capital of Chicagoland: North Riverside Park Mall packs more sneaker stores under one roof than anywhere else in the Chicago area including major chains, local boutiques, and resale shops all in one spot.
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Every type of sneaker shopper covered: Limited drops, collector resales, skate brands, fashion footwear, and everything in between.
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Free parking, full-day fun: Easy drive from Chicago, with dining, entertainment, and kids' play spaces alongside the shopping.
If there were a competition for the kicks capital of Chicagoland, North Riverside Park Mall might well be the winner. Inside you’ll find sneaker stores for just about every athletic endeavor under the sun and for simply strutting around town. There are shops filled with every fan-favorite brand you can imagine and those offering limited-edition drops and exclusive styles. And you’ll find stores selling boots, sandals, pumps, and oxfords alongside sneakers, making the mall a comprehensive stop for all your footwear needs and dreams.
Once you’ve satisfied your kicks craving, you’ll find plenty more to enjoy at North Riverside Park Mall, whether you’re here with the kids, with friends, or solo. Grab a bite, take in a movie, relax as the kids tire themselves out at one of the indoor playgrounds… or of course, indulge in more shopping. And not only is the mall just a quick drive from Chicago and the inner-ring suburbs, but it also has free parking, so you can easily make a day of your visit.
Below we break down the mall’s various sneaker shops so you can check out their offerings, hours, and promotions. We also call out other highlights of the mall to check out after getting your kicks.
The Big Names in Sneakers and Streetwear
If you’re looking for the latest drops and the biggest brands in sneaker culture, these stores form the backbone of the mall’s lineup.
Foot Locker & Kids Foot Locker
North Riverside Park Mall has a major Foot Locker presence, including two Foot Locker stores, Kids Foot Locker, House of Hoops by Foot Locker, and Champs Sports. Kids Foot Locker also serves as the brand’s largest footprint, House of Play, with space to accommodate community events and special experiences. The selection here runs both broad and deep. The assortment of Nike footwear alone runs into hundreds of styles, and there are scores of other brands, from New Balance and Saucony to Converse and Vans. Whether you have a weekly tennis game, are training for the next Chicago Marathon, or simply like how those Mizuno Wave Runners look, the staff will help you choose the right sneaker—and outfit your little ones too. They’ll also keep you updated on the latest limited-edition drops.
Foot Locker is also helping bring a creative twist to sneaker culture at North Riverside Park Mall this spring. To celebrate the mall’s anniversary, Foot Locker donated 35 pairs of Nike Air Force 1s that were transformed into wearable works of art (shown above and below) by Yollocalli, the youth arts program at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The pieces will be on display beginning March 21, 2026 turning one of the mall’s most iconic sneakers into a gallery-worthy exhibit.
Champs Sports
Champs Sports adds another major stop for athletic footwear and apparel at North Riverside Park Mall. Known for its head-to-toe approach to athletic style, the store pairs popular sneaker releases with performance gear and sports-inspired apparel from some of the biggest brands in the industry. Whether you’re updating your everyday rotation or looking for gear tied to your favorite teams and athletes, Champs rounds out the mall’s already impressive lineup of sneaker destinations.
House of Hoops by Foot Locker
If b-ball is life, this is the shop for you. In addition to big-name performance lines that will have you channeling your inner Anthony Edwards or Angel Reese, you’ll find statement-making kicks, hoodies, and tees to flaunt while cheering on the Sky or the Bulls.
Finish Line
Unless you’re a sneakerhead, you might finnike-aird it easy to confuse Finish Line with Foot Locker. Both sell footwear from major brands such as Adidas and Puma for men, women, and kids, and both have a calendar of limited-edition drops. But fans consider Finish Line more fashion-forward, with caps, hoodies, backpacks, and more from the likes of Sonneti and Smoke Rise. A bonus for frequent buyers: Since Finish Line is owned by JD Sports, its loyalty program applies to both brands. Speaking of which…
JD Sports
Want to know what’s on trend? Check out the displays at JD Sports. Performance brands mingle with streetwear favorites, and you can complement your kicks with joggers, jeans, and jackets from Juicy Couture, True Religion, and The North Face. Because JD Sports is a global powerhouse, many of its offerings are exclusives, including its proprietary streetwear line, Supply & Demand. And if you’re getting swept up in World Cup fever, stop by for replica kit from numerous global teams as well as from overseas pro teams such as Man U and Real Madrid: Having launched in the UK and expanded throughout Europe before coming Stateside, JD Sports is no Johnny-come-lately to the pitch.
DTLR:
JD Sports also owns DTLR, which began as Baltimore streetwear retailer Downtown Locker Room. It has since adapted the acronym to stand for Daring to Live Right, and it proudly champions the exclusivity of sneaker culture. The store emphasizes apparel as well as kicks, including exclusive styles, from major and lesser-known brands alike. Beanies from Kim and Bae, rhinestone-studded fleece from BKYS, backpacks from Sprayground, boots from Timberland: You’ll find all that and more, plus some of the coolest limited-edition drops around.
Snipes
Having started in Germany, Snipes offers sneakers and apparel with a European accent. That translates to exclusives from Adidas, New Balance, Saucony, and other big names, its own line of apparel basics in not-so-basic colors, camp shirts from Honor the Gift, Doc Martens mules, and sequined team bomber jackets from Pro Standard. Download the Snipes app to be sure you don’t miss the latest drops.
Sneaker Collector Finds
For sneaker fans chasing rare pairs or past releases that sold out instantly, these resale shops add another layer to the mall’s sneaker scene.
Boneyard Chicago
Boneyard Chicago adds a strong dose of sneaker culture to the mall’s lineup. The resale shop specializes in coveted releases and hard-to-find pairs that collectors track across the internet. The owner grew up coming to North Riverside Park Mall for major sneaker drops, an experience that eventually inspired him to start the business. Now in its second location, Boneyard has become a draw for enthusiasts looking for rare finds and deep sneaker knowledge.
Faze One
Faze One is another stop for sneaker fans hunting for something special. The shop focuses on resale pairs and sought-after releases that can be difficult to track down through traditional retailers. Inventory changes often, which means every visit has the potential to uncover a new favorite. For collectors and casual shoppers, it adds another layer to the mall’s already impressive sneaker scene.
Skate, Youth, and Alt Sneakers
These stores lean into skate culture and youth-driven trends, with footwear that moves well beyond traditional athletic sneakers.
Journeys & Journeys Kidz
Keeping up with the trends favored by teens and kids isn’t easy, but Journeys and Journeys Kidz have been doing so for several decades. Skate is the sport of choice for its customers, and the footwear assortment reflects this, with plenty of options from Vans, DC Shoes, and DVS alongside the big-name performance brands. If you’re looking for Converse Chucks adorned with Hello Kitty, Crocs collabs with LoveShackFancy (for women) or Bluey (for kids), a South Park Cheesy Poofs backpack, or something else that’s not the same-old same-old, make this a stop.
Underground by Journeys
Underground by Journeys is for young adults who loved Journeys when they were younger but now want something a bit more—but not too much more—mature. It carries the same skate brands as Journeys, including Vans and DC Shoes, as well as Sperry deck shoes, Reef sandals, Minnetonka moccasins, and more footwear and accessories that offer comfort and practicality as well as coolness.
Zumiez
Stop by Zumiez for a new skateboard or snowboard, stay for the fabulous selection of footwear, apparel, and gear. The knowledgeable staff will help you find the equipment you need whether you’re a novice or longtime boarder. But even if you don’t intend to skate or hit the powder, you’re more than welcome to outfit yourself in suede skate shoes from Lakai, leather loafers from Last Resort AB, or platform kicks from Converse. Baggy snowboard pants from 686 and patterned jackets from Roxy look great off the slopes as well as on, and Brixton button-downs, Vitriol denim shorts, and bracelets featuring silvery skulls and spiders all but scream street cred.
Fashion-Focused Footwear for All
Not every great pair of shoes is a sneaker, and these shops round out the mall’s selection with dress styles, boots, and everyday staples.
Aldo
Aldo designs its own women’s and men’s footwear, creating styles that walk the fine line between trendy and timeless. Options encompass espadrilles and stilettos, Western boots and slide sandals. Because comfort is as important as style, many of the shoes are crafted with padded insoles and dual density foam. Once you’ve settled on your footwear, shop the many handbags, totes, satchels, sunglasses, and belts to complete your look.
DNM
Another local shop specializing in upscale men’s streetwear, DNM can outfit you from top to toe. The offerings are not for the shy. Bold and blingy items like Pelle Pelle leather bombers, Rockstar jeans, and Breyers hats will definitely command attention.
Shoe Dept. Encore
Pickleball slip-ons? Steel-toe workboots? Duck boots for new walkers? Chances are good you’ll find them here. Shoe Dept. Encore stocks a literal A-to-Z of footwear brands, from Adidas to ZeroXposur. And yes, among the dress shoes, work shoes, boots, sandals, and slippers for men, women, and kids, you’ll find trendy kicks from Skechers and Guess as well as classic performance sneakers from Nike and Reebok.
Beyond the Kicks
Sneakerheads can spend an entire day parading from one of North Riverside Park Mall’s footwear shops to the next. But there’s plenty more to enjoy as well.
Non-Shoe Shopping
Malls are nirvana for clotheshorses, and this one is no different. Express, Torrid, and Victoria’s Secret are among the stores catering to women; Express Men and The Modern Man do the same for men. Aéropostale and Hot Topic are teen favorites, with America’s Kids and The Children’s Place beloved by little ones and their parents. There are also jewelry and accessories shops, toy stores, gift shops, plus anchor stores H&M and JCPenney and even an Aldi, so you can grab some groceries while you’re here.
Snack Attack
It’s easy to work up an appetite while shopping. Fortunately North Riverside Park Mall gives you plenty of food options. Along with mall stalwarts Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Mrs. Field’s, there are fast-food favorites Sbarro, Subway, and Taco Bell. Asian Corner, El Milagro, and Olive Garden are among the sit-down, kick-back restaurant choices.
Entertainment Options
With arcade games, bowling, and billiards, Round 1 has something to keep everyone in your group happy. For the little ones, FunFlatables is a veritable wonderland of inflatable slides and bouncy castles. Kids Empire has slides too, along with a ball pit, jumbo building blocks, and climbing apparatus. And with six screens, not to mention oh-so comfortable reclining seats, Classic Cinemas promises pure escapism.
Convenience Galore
Need to repair or replace your cell phone? Want a family portrait? Hankering for a mani/pedi, a haircut, another piercing, or a massage? You can take care of all of the above, all under one roof. And you can’t beat the free parking!
Top Tips to Get Your Kicks
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Plan your itinerary. You can map out a sneakerhead loop to coincide with major drops at DTLR, Finish Line, Foot Locker, JD Sports, and Snipes.
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Make a family day of it, breaking for snacks and playtime at FunFlatables or Kids Empire in between shoe and clothes shopping.
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Treat yourself to some well-deserved me time: After picking up the perfect kicks, get your brows threaded at Zuni’s Salon, a manicure at Lee Nails, and a massage at Serenity Touch.
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Check store hours online, as well as calendars and apps for drops.
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For really big sneaker launches, consider arriving early—there’s nothing worse than the person in front of you snagging the last pair.
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Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, plus the same type of socks you’ll typically wear with your sneakers.
Why North Riverside Park Mall Deserves the “Kicks Capital” Name
Few, if any, other places in the Chicago area have as many sneaker, footwear, and streetwear options under one roof as North Riverside Park Mall does. Global chains, specialty shops, local boutiques: They’re all right here, in one easily walkable circuit. Make the mall the site of your next kicks crawl, and tag #exploreoakparkandbeyond on posts showing off your haul.