Akadema, Bloomingdale

Akadema's co-founder and former ball player, Lawrence Gilligan, held himself to a pretty high standard as he set out on a mission to evolve the design of the baseball glove. As he put it, "[i]f you want to make the best sports equipment, you consult the best athletes." Over the years, he and his brother Joe have consulted with Hall of Famers such as Ozzie Smith and Carl Yastrzemski on designs for infielders' gloves with fingerless construction and catchers' mitts with patented Stress Wedge technology and smack-talking capabilities.

Their gloves have become popular with everyone from Little Leaguers to NCAA coaches, including the Reptilian, which incorporates an air pocket for shock absorption. The store also specializes in other baseball and softball gear, including performance apparel, zero-gravity cleats, and bats that are hand-cut and sanded from grade-A maple and ash.