The Georgetown location shows off new concepts for the retailer

A line of bundled masses clung to the building at 3338 M St. in five finger shoes, braving the cold for the promise of free gear for the first 50 people in line and a chance at a shopping spree. The dedicated group awaited the opening of City Sports's new Georgetown location.Friends Holly McHugh, Eric Owens and Steve Slocum arrived at 5 a.m. from Baltimore to be the first in line. Free stuff was definitely a draw, but the trio was actually there to surprise their roommate who will be one of the new store's employees.

Mike MacCarthy wore a knit Washington Red Skins hat and rubbed his cold hands together, shifting his weight to keep warm. ?MacCarthy was sixth in line, having arrived between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. He works at a gas station nearby and heard about the give-away in the paper.Awaiting the line inside the new store were high-end gift bags: Timbuktu messenger bags brimming with water bottles, running gear, heart rate monitors, the works. Three lucky people would find a $500 City Sports shopping spree certificate in their bag.

The five finger shoes shows off new concepts for the retailer. Lockers located in the rear are dedicated for local running club use with an energy bar and refreshment stand nearby. Instead of the traditional sneaker wall, City Sports created a curved stand alone display, one side for women, one for men. Michael Mosca, the executive vice president for marketing at City Sports, boasted of the originality of the new store and beamed about the "great architectural elements." City Sports "fell in love with the space," said Mosca.? From the moment the team decided to lease the store to opening day was a mere four months.

www.vibramshoestore.com