New Balance Celebrates Baltimore with Faidley's-Inspired Sneaker

The limited-edition shoe pays homage to the iconic Lexington Market seafood spot.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeated image of a single crab cake, conceptually representing the New Balance sneaker's design inspired by the historic Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore.The new Baltimore-inspired New Balance sneaker celebrates the iconic Faidley's Seafood crab cakes, a beloved staple of the city's culinary culture.Baltimore Today

New Balance has released a new sneaker design inspired by the iconic Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore's Lexington Market. The shoe features a red and black colorway with yellow or black laces, representing the Maryland flag and the historic Faidley's sign. The design was led by Baltimore native Myles Williams, a New Balance product manager, who wanted to capture the energy and community of the city.

Why it matters

The new sneaker celebrates Baltimore's rich culinary and cultural heritage, with Faidley's Seafood being a beloved institution in Lexington Market since 1886. It also highlights New Balance's deep roots in the DMV region, as the brand started in the D.C. and Baltimore areas before growing into a global powerhouse.

The details

The Baltimore-inspired New Balance 993 Duo sneaker features a red and black colorway with yellow or black laces, drawing inspiration from the Maryland flag and the historic Faidley's Seafood sign. New Balance product manager Myles Williams, who is from Columbia, Maryland, led the design process, wanting to capture the energy and community of Baltimore that he experienced growing up. The shoes will be on display at Faidley's Seafood, and the staff will start wearing them before the limited-edition pair becomes available for purchase nationwide.

  • The new sneaker was unveiled on April 8, 2026.
  • Faidley's Seafood has been a staple in Lexington Market since it opened in 1886.

The players

New Balance

An American athletic footwear and apparel company that was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Faidley's Seafood

A renowned seafood restaurant that has been a staple in Baltimore's Lexington Market since 1886, known for its iconic crab cakes.

Myles Williams

A product manager at New Balance who is from Columbia, Maryland and helped design the Baltimore-inspired sneaker.

Nancy Faidley Devine

The co-owner of Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Lexington Market is a place where I always grew up coming. My dad grew up around Lexington Terrace, so he always brought us here. It was just always a community staple...That represents who we are here, so the crab cakes, Faidley's, this represents the energy of the people and we felt like we captured that in the sneaker.”

— Myles Williams, Product Manager, New Balance

“These represent Baltimore, and they represent who we are and I find it a little exciting, this color. Washington doesn't have anything on us.”

— Nancy Faidley Devine, Co-Owner, Faidley's Seafood

“It's kind of neat because to generations in Baltimore, it's going to mean something. This is something new that will make them feel good about Baltimore and the memories that they have of Lexington Market.”

— Nancy Faidley Devine, Co-Owner, Faidley's Seafood

What’s next

The limited-edition Baltimore-inspired New Balance 993 Duo sneaker will be available for purchase by the public after being displayed at Faidley's Seafood in Lexington Market.

The takeaway

This collaboration between New Balance and the iconic Faidley's Seafood celebrates the rich cultural and culinary heritage of Baltimore, showcasing the city's enduring community spirit and pride. The new sneaker design not only pays homage to a beloved local institution, but also highlights New Balance's deep roots in the DMV region.