The Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus is a special edition sneaker collaboration between Nike and the Orlando Magic basketball team. Combining the innovative Air VaporMax cushioning system with the iconic design of the Air Max Plus, this sneaker pays homage to the Magic's rich basketball history and their vibrant team colors. The main idea of the Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus is the fusion of high-performance technology and visually striking design. The sneaker features the revolutionary VaporMax cushioning, which provides exceptional comfort and responsiveness. This technology eliminates the need for a traditional foam midsole, as it directly attaches the Air units to the upper. This setup allows for a more flexible and lightweight feel, making the Air VaporMax Plus ideal for athletes and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
You don’t, however, have to be an international company to have a brand mascot. Small businesses can use mascot marketing to reach and connect with their customers.
Along with a painting of a monkey on one wall of the joint, there is also a wooden statue of a tipsy primate chugging from a liquor bottle that brings the mascot to life. Hipsters, bros, old-timers, and crowds of the new Denver, old Denver and Midwestern variety all co-exist in this unpretentious bar known for cheap drinks, televised sports and good company.
This setup allows for a more flexible and lightweight feel, making the Air VaporMax Plus ideal for athletes and sneaker enthusiasts alike. In terms of design, the Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus showcases the team's signature colors – black, royal blue, and white. The upper is predominantly black with blue synthetic overlays, while the VaporMax Air units display a stunning blue gradient effect.
TAKING A STAND
Larvita McFarquhar has owned and operated Havens Garden Bar and Restaurant in Lynd since 2017.
Even though it's a large, clean restaurant, owning a business in a town of less than 450 people can be a challenge. And during the coronavirus pandemic period, McFarquhar and other small business owners have faced a struggle to show a profit.
When Gov. Tim Walz issued a second shutdown for bars and restaurants recently, McFarquhar had heard enough and decided to fight back.
The single mother of four daughters, all who assist in running the business, decided to defy his executive order that establishments such as Havens Garden must be closed to indoor service. On Nov. 19, she went on Facebook and invited people to come to her place for fun, food and drinks in a promotional video.
The video message was captioned "Live Music and Food next Friday night. Come have fun with the Great Tommy Rex or sing your own tunes during Open Mic.”
McFarquhar then announced on the video message: "Hi! I’m here at Havens Garden asking everyone to join us November 27 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for Open Mic Night. Come down and have a good time here at Havens Garden in Lynd, Minnesota."
Shortly after, a Lyon County Sheriff's Deputy phoned McFarquhar to ask if she was aware of the governor's mandate in which bars and restaurants must be closed except for takeout of curbside service."I was well aware of it," she told the Mascot. "But I asked (the deputy) if he was aware that the mandate is not a law? I told him that the governor can't pass laws and (law enforcement personnel) are supposed to uphold the Constitution. I told him that he doesn't work for the governor; he works for the people.”
"The governor doesn't have the authority or power to shut down my business or any business for no reason. He is just picking and choosing who can stay open and who can't stay open. It's ridiculous," she added.
McFarquhar was told that if she opened on the date she was promoting, she could face penalties such as a fine and/or jail time.
A letter was then sent to McFarquhar on Monday (Nov. 23) from Attorney General Keith Ellison's office that basically referred to similar action. The letter, written by Assistant Attorney General Noah Lewellen, read in part:
“Emergency Executive Order 20-99 empowers this Office to investigate and take action against businesses or persons that are operating or threatening to operate in violation of the Order. As the chief legal officer for the State of Minnesota, the Attorney General has authority to file a civil enforcement action seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each and every occurrence Executive Order 20-99 is violated, as well as its attorney’s fees and costs.”
"Besides telling me that I could face a $25,000 fine if I opened, they said anyone who came to my place that night could be fined $1,000," McFarquhar said. "These threats didn't matter to me. I know my rights as a citizen and as a business owner."
Soon after, McFarquhar posted another video on Facebook, informing any guests that they could face a $1,000 fine if they showed up on Friday night.
"I want to thank everyone who is willing to come out, but I want them to know that there is a possibility that they will be fined $1,000 if they show up. So please make your decisions wisely, that if you would love to come down and support me, which I would love, but I want you to be aware that you can be fined $1,000.”
McFarquhar, a black conservative, went through with her promise to keep her Havens Garden bar open Friday night. There were no law enforcement personnel on hand to make arrests and no protests outside her business from those wanting her to remain closed.
"Just a nice fun evening with around 100 people showing up," she said. "I was planning to be open from 9 to 11 p.m., but people came earlier to support me so we opened at 8 and they stayed until around midnight. I can't believe how much love and support I've been getting. It's been overwhelming."
McFarquhar maintains social distancing at her business with tables six feet apart and limiting four people to a table unless they are together as a family.
"All the workers wear masks and gloves," she noted. "And we make sure only one person touches the money. We wash everything down before and after people come here. We don't want anyone to get sick."
The disc jockey that was hired for the evening decided against playing on Friday night after being threatened with a possible $2,500 fine and/or jail time. A second local disc jockey McFarquhar asked to play that night accepted.
McFarquhar may still face fines or jail time, but she is ready to accept whatever happens.
"My daughters are my life," she said. "And I talked to them about this. They all help me (at Havens Garden) cooking, serving, cleaning or whatever else needs to be done. They told me they fully supported me and that's all I needed to hear. That meant the world to me."
Because no one from the Lyon County Sheriff's Department showed up that night, McFarquhar feels it was a case of reverse discrimination.
"If anything, I feel it was racist against white people," she said. "If I was white, I think they would have arrested or fined me. But the way things are today, they didn't want the news of shutting down a single black woman's business."
McFarquhar then noted that she is going through a tough time financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"When the governor shuts down our businesses, we still have bills to pay like taxes, insurance, rent, utilities," she said. "And then to be threatened with a big fine on top of that. It's just unbelievable. It should be up to each business owner if they want to stay open or not. And it is the right of the people if they want to go to these places or not."
McFarquhar, who is from Marshall, first opened a gymnastics club and dance studio in 2016 in the same building as the then-closed restaurant known as Chuck's Kitchen. She opened the restaurant the following year and re-named it Havens Garden.
"I wanted it to be a safe haven for people to come and enjoy," she explained. "The gym and dance studio are still open Monday thru Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The kids can play in the gym and relieve some stress. And we serve food during those times, too."
McFarquhar has attracted a lot of publicity since defying the governor; mostly positive. She has been interviewed by several print and broadcast media personnel. While she is happy to get her message out, McFarquhar wasn't trying to attract attention for her business.
"I just felt it was time that we the people stand up and say, ‘No, we’re not going to agree with these outrageous demands," she said in a defiant voice. We're all in this together as small business owners. We need to support one another.”
The sneaker also features the iconic TPU cage from the Air Max Plus, which adds a distinctive look and provides extra support. Nike and the Orlando Magic have collaborated on this special edition sneaker to celebrate the team's impact on the basketball culture and their loyal fan base. The Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus combines modern innovation with a classic design, creating a sneaker that not only performs at a high level but also pays homage to the team's rich history. Overall, the Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus is a unique collaboration that showcases Nike's ability to combine cutting-edge technology with visually striking design. With its Fusion of the VaporMax cushioning system and the Air Max Plus silhouette, this sneaker is a true standout on and off the basketball court. Whether you are a die-hard Orlando Magic fan or simply appreciate high-performance footwear, the Air VaporMax Plus is a must-have for any sneaker collection..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus: From Retro to Modern"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus sneakers. First of all, I expected them to be much more comfortable than they actually were. The cushioning felt cheap and did not provide the level of support I was hoping for. Additionally, the design was not as appealing in person as it was in the pictures. The color scheme looked less vibrant and the overall build felt a bit flimsy. Overall, I was not impressed with this particular model from Nike.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I regret purchasing the Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus shoes. The fit was completely off for me. Despite ordering my usual size, they were tight and caused discomfort, especially around the toes. The grip on the sole was also problematic, as I found myself sliding on smooth surfaces. In terms of style, the combination of colors felt overwhelming and clashed with most of my outfits. I do not recommend these sneakers, as they did not meet my expectations in terms of fit, comfort, or style.
3. Chris - 3/5 - The Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus shoes were just average for me. While they had a unique and eye-catching design, the construction quality left much to be desired. After only a few weeks of regular use, the sole started to separate from the upper part of the shoe. Despite being labeled as durable and suitable for outdoor activities, they did not hold up well. On the positive side, they were relatively comfortable and provided decent support while walking. However, given the price point, I expected better durability and longevity from this Nike model.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I found the Orlando Magic Air VaporMax Plus shoes to be quite uncomfortable. The tongue of the shoe dug into the top of my foot, causing discomfort and rubbing. The lack of proper arch support made it difficult to wear these sneakers for extended periods of time. Additionally, the sizing seemed off, with the shoes feeling too narrow for my feet, despite purchasing my usual size. The design was also not to my taste, as it appeared more cluttered and flashy in person. Overall, I would not recommend these sneakers for those looking for comfort and a sleek design.