PORTLAND, Ore. — Just days after sportswear giant Nike announced layoffs, a smaller activewear startup expands in the Rose City.
Swiss footwear company, On, announced it will be opening its largest North America store in Portland on Saturday. The 3,400-square-foot retail store will be on Northwest 23rd Avenue and Northwest Hoyt Street.
While the company was founded in Switzerland in 2010, it had a footprint in Portland since 2013 with the opening of its North American headquarters in the Pearl District.
The company's U.S. base has grown from three employees to 260 people in 11 years.
Britt Olsen, On's North America general manager and head of Global Commercial Strategy, has been with the company since its early days in Portland.
"To think nine-and-a-half years ago when I walked into an office with a couple of people and some laptops and a bag of shoes to what we are today as a big global sportwear brand, the fastest growing sportswear brand, I'm just immensely grateful and super proud of the team,” Olsen said.
The company credits its innovative shoe for its growth in the industry. The first prototype was made using a garden hose.
“What it gives you is a super nice soft landing, a forward rolling motion, an explosive takeoff on your toe front," Olsen said, "so, it's a really unique sensation and experience. As soon as folks put shoes on their feet, the face lights up, and they are sold.”
Shoes and apparel will be available at the Northwest 23rd store. It will open to the public at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Regular store hours will be Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.