They were probably a part of the 501st
http://www.501st.com/ I've looked into building a Stormtrooper getup at one time. It cracks me up to know that the preferred boots are supposed to be for Mariachi bands.
It's funny that you mention Geeks. I pretty much consider myself a geek, nerd, what have you. I like comic books, Sci Fi (Battlestar, Star Wars, and all incarnations of Trek) so I stopped by a place in Orlando called Sci Fi City
http://www.sci-fi-city.com I had to rebuild my sister-in-law's toilet so I made a trip to Home Depot, Sci Fi City was in the same shopping plaza.
I walked in and looked around, lusting after a few items when I heard some guys arguing about their Warcraft cards. Then I went to the back where a couple guys were playing some role playing games (Battletech to be exact). I told my wife that I was a bit overwhelmed by the geekdom and had to leave the store before I burst out laughing.