Bradley said he had worn the same pair of shoes for 25 years. (AP)

By David Von Drehle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 28, 1999; 11:46 a.m. EDT

NASHUA, N.H., Oct. 28 – Bill Bradley, following his encounter with Vice President Gore last night at Dartmouth College, did a little shopping here this morning.

After meeting with a group of Nashua voters, Bradley strolled down the street to Alec's Shoes, where the owners recently adopted a policy of closing the store on Mondays "to allow our valued employees . . . to spend more time with our families."

"This a great thing," Bradley said, as he entered the large store heavy on snow boots.

The former senator and New York Knicks basketball star moved to a row of chairs, took a seat and immediately slipped off his size 13 D black laceups, announcing that he has worn the same pair for 25 years. A salesman presented him with a stylish Johnston & Murphy cap toe. "I want one with fewer holes," Bradley said.

"But the cap toe is very fashionable," the salesman prodded.

"I don't want those," Bradley repeated.

He wound up buying a pair of black Florsheims for $75 and two pairs of socks, paying with his credit card.