Graduate Eugene, a Graduate Hotels property located near the University of Oregon, is honoring the community’s history with a new vintage Nike shoe collection.
“Each Graduate Hotel pays homage to its surrounding community, and the rich history of Eugene and University of Oregon athletics presented the prime opportunity to incorporate vintage Nike shoes into the hotel’s décor,” says Julie Saul, director of sales & marketing at Graduate Eugene. “Eugene is the birthplace of Nike, and the brand has been largely impactful on both the city of Eugene and the University of Oregon community.”
Graduate Hotels founder and CEO Ben Weprin is known as a lifelong sneakerhead and Nike superfan, so when the company opened its 15th property in Eugene, he determined Nike shoes would be a part of the hotel’s story and design. He searched eBay for months, handpicking each pair of vintage Nike shoes that appears in the collection.
“The purpose of this collection is to encapsulate the unique culture of Eugene and celebrate the history of the city. Weprin selected shoes that tell a story and history, seeking out pairs with character and wear and tear. We hope the collection attracts visitors from near and far to the hotel, and that this special feature of the hotel will stick with our guests well beyond their stay at Graduate Eugene,” Saul says.
Because no two Graduate properties are decorated alike, the vintage Nike collection is unique to the Eugene property. “Nike was established in Eugene, so incorporating this special collection into the hotel was a no brainer,” Saul says. “The brand has etched itself into the history of both the city and the university, making the Graduate Eugene property the perfect setting to showcase legendary pieces of Nike’s history, such as the coveted Moon Shoes, one of Nike’s first ever pair of shoes first debuted in Eugene!”
Saul says the Nike collection has allowed the Graduate Eugene team to attract local community members who are intrigued by the shoe collection. Whether you’re traveling far or just up the road, Graduate Eugene’s Nike collection is a must-see for all sneaker aficionados.
“Every aspect of Graduate Eugene allows the sales team to engage and connect with their clients on a level of nostalgia that they have never been able to before, creating meaningful relationships and connections,” says Saul.