In October 1976 two childhood friends, Alan Cohen and David Klapper, did what most people spend their whole lives dreaming about. They took a risk. When they opened the doors of Finish Line (then a franchise of the Athlete's Foot) in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, Cohen and Klapper forged the path that would lead them to becoming one of the premier athletic specialty retailers in the nation. All because they had a vision — because they saw a future in the fledgling athletic footwear business.

By 1981 the owners' vision had widened. For these two action-addicted individuals, the 10 franchises they owned were not enough. They were ready to expand beyond Indiana, but the Athlete's Foot franchise rights ended at the Indiana border. At this point they decided to start their own company called The Finish Line. Cohen and Klapper approached another childhood friend, Larry Sablosky, with a full partnership opportunity. Dave Fagin, a manufacturer's rep who had been selling product to Cohen and Klapper, was offered the same deal.

From the outset, Finish Line's niche was to sell brand name athletic shoes and clothing at a competitive price. By 1991 the company had grown to 105 stores located primarily in Midwestern and Southeastern states with an annual gross of nearly $100 million. Eyeing the future as a national retail chain, the foursome took the company public in 1992.

In the past 10 years, Finish Line has grown with the athletic industry. Selection and product lines have expanded significantly. Known for its' signature "shoe wall," a typical Finish Line carries an extensive variety of men's, women's and kid's athletic and casual shoes.

Typically, a Finish Line store will show between 600 and 1,300 different kinds of athletic footwear, including basketball, running, walking, gym, aerobics, hiking, cross-training and skate shoes, not to mention cleats, casual shoes and sandals. Brands carried by Finish Line include Nike, adidas, Reebok, New Balance, And 1, Oakley, Puma, Airwalk, Converse, Fila, Lugz, Saucony, Timberland and Vans.

But Finish Line isn't just shoes. Today, approximately 20 percent of all sales come from apparel and accessories. This includes the latest in performance and fashion products from Nike, Oakley, adidas, Fossil, Jansport, professional and collegiate licensed products, t-shirts, shorts, caps and outerwear from other well-known manufacturers.

As the market continues to change and expand, so does Finish Line. The company's buyers and merchandisers are continually searching for the newest fashions and trends to keep Finish Line's product mix on top. This includes the creation of a private apparel line, Finish Line Blue Label. Real Estate continues to seek profitable, high-traffic locations in order to expand Finish Line's presence as a national retailer.

While the company's size has increased dramatically over the past 20 years, the style of management and commitment to outstanding customer service has remained the same. Hard work, dedication and commitment to selling quality goods at a fair price are at the core of Finish Line's philosophy.