New Balance Factory Store Brighton — Attraction in Boston

This store has been around "forever"! Us old townies remember the original location on North Beacon St (which was briefly a church then part of the car dealership). They then were on Life St for a few years before their present location on Market St.

The selection isn't always "amazing" for the under-$100 shoes, but if you're on a budget and want high-quality running, walking and cross-training sneakers, they're your must-go-to place. The walk-in-the-door prices are easily 10-30% off what they charge at the "regular" NB store down the street and THEN if you catch one of their NUMEROUS sales of anywhere from 25% to a whopping 40% off, you do the math! That's easily up to 70% off the original retail price!

Out of hundreds of pairs of shoes I've owned over the years, only one particular style was a partial dud because the stitching to hold the tongues wasn't done right. I liked the fit and comfort so much I actually sucked it up at $10/pair for three pairs and took them to Downtown Crossing to have the stitching reinforced--money well-spent since, again, I was getting such a great deal to begin with. Also shameless plug for the old school stitching wizard with the no-frills shop underneath Macy's in the Downtown Crossing corridor. In addition to shoe repair, he also does purse and briefcase straps.

I honestly don't know how the "regular" stores stay in business versus this and other Factory Stores but I guess you could say the same about other outlet stores like Nordstrom Rack and Saks off 5th versus their higher-priced "parents." I guess rich people LOVE paying full-price for the chance to brag about owning something "first"!

One star off for so-so customer service floor staff. They're helpful to find back stock ONCE you flag them down but too many if them aren't...

I’m obsessed with this store!!!! They have a HUGE selection of vintage and new shoes - last season and new season as well as an extensive clearance section. I was also very happy that they carried lots of half sizes and WIDE options. They had an amazing SALE as well!! 🤩

I went near the end of the day and the employees were still so kind and helpful even after a long day! I was looking for new walking shoes to support a recent injury and I am also very picky and feet are sensitive. The associate Cody gladly offered me help answering all my questions about different shoes- he was very personable and knowledgeable about the products. I told him my needs and he went zooming around the store to find me different lines to try and he clearly was experienced with the pros and cons of each shoe- I was so impressed with the level of product knowledge and even knowledge about common sports injuries with each foot type etc. He was very patient and kept going back to help me find the right shoe. He also did a great job balancing attending to other customers as well. Because I’m so picky I didn’t think I’d even find 1 new pair, but I actually walked out with 3 pairs of shoes- new walking/running shoes on sale for 40 bucks!! A cute pair of classic 515s in a unique color pattern- also on sale! And a Barbie neon PINK and white style of classic slides. Note: They even carry the classic 550s that Taylor Swift was seen wearing!

One suggestion I have for the store is:

Bring back the in-store shoe donation/recycle program. I totally would have dropped off my old beat up Sauconies with holes right then and there to wear the new ones out. But I will have to go to the recycle center to drop them off. Would have been cool to have a photo opp of “in with the new, out with the old”...

My father has been going to New Balance for as long as I remember, like 40 years. Almost every year for his birthday he buys himself a new pair as a birthday gift to himself. Normally the service is awesome and the experience is very pleasant. My dad turned 70 this year, and like always, he went to New Balance today to get himself a new pair of sneakers. He saw a sign that said Buy 1 get 1 50% off, so he grabbed 2 pairs. When his order was rung up, he asked about the sale sign because the total didn't reflect the signage. The cashier called his manager, who happened to be the same woman that had followed him around the store earlier when he had 1st arrived. When he asked for clarity, she explained the sale sign saying only specific styles. My father explained he had not seen that. She then raised her voice and got really rude and asked would he like for her to show him! My father responded that he didn't want anything and didn't appreciate the rude behavior or being yelled at and promptly left the store. Seeing my father so upset after the interaction broke my heart. My father is a polite man who always thinks about the little guy. Not sure if New Balance has lost a long time customer, still this behavior is...