John’s Sneaks

I no longer need to go through coupons for wait for deals on major sporting goods shops or online stores. I’ve found John’s Sneaks and it’s been the only place I get my sneakers from.
I still remember the first time I shopped there. The nice manager Steve introduced himself, and asked me what I was looking for and what size I wear. As I answered him he said, «You’re the lucky woman of the day!» So apparently they get tester shoes from different brands, occasionally, but only with limited sizes. He patiently let me try on several pairs of different styles, and I scored 2 pairs of Brooks running shoes, at $ 80 total. It would’ve been $ 300 anywhere else.
My experience at John’s has never been disappointing. They have the top releases from Brook, Asics, Saucony, etc at deep discounted prices. Even at times I couldn’t find the best shoes at best deals, Steve would try his best and finally able to find me what I was looking for. He taught me how to choose the best shoes for best fits. He was also the one told me the «secret» conversion between Kids size and Adult size, and I actually bought a pair of Kids sized running shoes that fit perfectly.
2 things I’d like to point out:
1. Shop is closed on Sundays during summer;
2. As for all family businesses, try to bring cash.
As I just got 2 pairs of sneakers for my kids last weekend, I could almost see them coming back over the years and writing a Unilocal review one days that reads, «My mom has been taking me here to get all of my sneakers since I was a kid…»

Best sneaker store around. I cannot believe the the prices for top quality shoes! I paid half as much for the *exact* shoes I already had. The store is packed with wall to wall shoes, and if you tell them what your needs are (support, arch, cushion, etc), they will find you the perfect shoe.

My father started taking me here back in the mid seventies — before the current owner of 31 years. We have spent thousands of dollars on sneaks over the years as a family and have referred many people to this store.
My father is now 78 years old and has Parkinson’s disease real bad. He and my mother were there late one day near closing time trying to buy a pair of sneaks for my dad. The owner was rushing him and not being very helpful. My dad took the shoes but in the end returned them because they did not fit right.
When my parents got there to return the sneaks, the owner gave them a total attitude and said «I knew you were going to return these».
Now, a few months later, I stopped in to tell him how absurd the treatment of my sick father, a loyal customer of 40 years was. The owner flat out admitted that he says that to «pain in the ass» customers who return shoes. He did not even attempt to deny his loser mentality because he was caught and he knew he said it.
I told him this is how you treat loyal customers of 40 years? He did not care.
And now I care enough to tell the world what an insensitive creep this shop owner is. NEVER EVER will I or anyone I know shop here again.

You cannot beat the quality for the $$, do not bother with Zappos/​Amazon, unless you need an idea of models out there…
I Just got two pairs of Asics for $ 150. Best deal ever!
And a question for other reviewer re: Crocs– «wtf: they don’t sell crocs, have you even been there!!!»
small fee for credit cards, but you’ll not really notice in the grand scheme of things

Ah, John’s Sneaks, so many memories I have of shopping with you. As a child, the Patriarch taking us all here, the shelves crammed with clear plastic bagged pairs of Keds, Converse and Sperry Top Siders, the dot ($ 1) and dash (25 cents) pricing structure, the fact that I could never find the coveted Adidas or Nikes that were all the rage then. The silent promise to myself that I would never EVER put MY children through the pain of unfashionable sneakers. Good times, then.
I survived, and thankfully so did John’s, now run by John’s nephew, with a vastly improved selection of sneakers, still mostly in clear plastic bags, sorted by size on shelves, crammed floor-​to-​ceiling. Brand selection is vastly improved, with all the same brands you’ll find at Nordstrom — Saucony, Ascics, Nike, K-​Swiss and more! Pricing has graduated from the dot-​dash system to those rectangular price-​tags you used to see in grocery stores — a change the nephew shared with me was due to him working at a grocery store when those pricing guns were being discarded, and given to him for free.
Prices are very good for the quality they’re selling now. I picked up a pair of Saucony’s for easily half of what they cost elsewhere. Shoes are all brand-​new and are in perfect condition. John’s sells consolidated — end of model shoes, so there is not a thing wrong with them except perhaps a missing shoe box.
The owner is a lovely, friendly but not obtrusive man, who shared with me that they opened first in 1971 and have been here ever since. He couldn’t believe I was old enough to remember the ‘original’ store — they moved from next-​door in 1980. Bless him. He knows shoes, too. When I picked my sneakers, he noted that I must have a high arch (I do) and that those are about the best for that.
John’s is a pretty no-​frills experience, not a mega store like so many others. It’s tucked away in a neighborhood row of stores surrounded by houses and Chestnutwold Elementary School. It’s absolutely worth the trek for good quality sneakers at very reasonable prices. Plus, you’re supporting an absolutely local business, meaning most of the money spent here stays here. I love that.
John’s Sneaks, I am so glad you survived my years of piqué, my pre-​adolescent promise to myself to never ever come back. I am SO glad I did and will surely be coming back again and again. My son of course will think your shelves of sneakers are ‘cool’ and hopefully love a bargain as much as I do, ensuring your survival for yet another generation.

My family has been going to John’s Sneaks since I can remember. I still don’t know how my dad came across this place, probably one of his work buddies, but I am forever grateful.
This place has been our go to for our regular run around sneakers, my basketball sneakers, my siblings’ tennis sneakers, and all other athletic needs. They sell the same quality sneaks you would find in the stores, but at discounted factory prices. 50−70%
I was training for a half marathon and knew I was going to need some sneakers. I didn’t even need to think twice about going to John’s. Got fitted for my Asics GT-​2160 which retail around $ 140. Got them for ~$ 65. Over my training period, I went through 3 pairs of sneakers. I would have never been able to have afford them if I had gone to a regular store. I also would not have gotten the right fit (was fitted for a 4E), where when I went to many different running oriented stores, they didn’t even talk to me about my arch and how that would affect what sneaker I should get. I seriously would not have been able to finish my half marathon or keep up with my pacing partner without the sneakers I had on, which were the most important thing I had on the day of the race.
As long as they are in business, I won’t go anywhere else for my running sneaker needs.
FYI: They accept credit cards but no checks from Philadelphia or out of state.
Seriously have a great selection of sneakers at discount price.

Wow, I can’t believe this place is still here. My dad used to bring me all the way out here when I was a kid. I had no idea where the place was. Today, I just happened to be browsing Ardmore and I thought the name sounded familiar. It was so long ago (88 – 89?) that I don’t even remember the brands or anything (Pony maybe?), but I do remember it being located on a corner across from an aisle. He would just say do you want black sneakers or white sneakers, pick something out, and try them on first.
I can’t image they cost that much especially for a kid. I guess my dad was (is) QUITE the deal hunter. I guess John’s is a testament to small town small business.

This is the discount running shoe Mecca of the Philadelphia area. John’s is tucked away from the business district of Ardmore and it was the only place I went to for running shoes. For people not familiar with Ardmore, I suggest using Google Maps to get there. It is not obvious to find and the sign is small.
The shelves are packed with bags of sneakers, from floor to ceiling. It takes some hunting to find a suitable pair of sneakers, but I always found something.
Because I’m not a brand loyalist or care too much about the look of the sneakers, I took the pair that fit best. They carry major brands including Nike, Asics, Saucony, and New Balance. And usually I got a top flight pair of shoes for $ 45, which is half off the retail price.
Bring cash! They don’t take credit cards.
Friendly place, nonpretentious, and self-​serve so you can grab a pair or 10 to try on.
I currently live in Philly, but I think it’s worth a trip back there for new sneakers. I have been so spoiled by John’s. I can’t imagine spending more than $ 50 on running shoes again.