Converse Moving Away From Basketball, Into Boston

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Earlier this year, Converse announced it will move the company's Andover headquarters to Boston's Lovejoy Wharf, which is currently under renovation in hopes of a 2015 opening. WWD talked with CEO Jim Calhoun a bit about the future of this iconic (and deeply committed to Massachusetts) shoe company. Interestingly enough, they note that the footwear focus has shifted from performance sports to the creative arts. Musicians and fashion have become more inspirational to the brand, while the shoes themselves have departed from the legacy of basketball, a fellow Massachusetts institution that grew hand-in-hand with Converse.

On moving to Lovejoy Wharf, Calhoun tells WWD: "My feeling was, if you're going to move a world headquarters, you've got to get it right. So we started having a conversation about the talent we needed and that we'll need in the future. And we want a little grime, a little grit—preferably an established music club that smells of beer. That's what we want. So [moving into Boston] was kind of a no-brainer."
· Converse Announces 2015 Move to Boston [Racked Boston]
· Regional Footwear Brands Conflicted on Trade Policy [Racked Boston]
· On Star: Q&A With Converse's Jim Calhoun [WWD]