Bill Rodgers Running Center to close

In the name "Bill Rodgers Running Center," "Bill Rodgers" is used as an adjective, just like "United States" in "United States Army."

Because "Bill Rodgers" is not being used in a possessive or genitive way, there is no need to use any apostrophe. It's what's called a "noun adjunct," "attributive noun," or "adjectival noun."

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/PossessivesandAttributives/faq0005.html

Anyway, it's a shame that it's closing.

yeah the dude just happens to have an S on the end of his name. he named the store in the same way frank shorter could name his the 'frank shorter running center'

naturally this big blow to running history has turned into a grammar debate. only on letsrun

Yes. Rule 1: never take a tregedy and turn it into an opportunity to learn something new.

I visit the store whenever I'm in Boston, but I also admit to not buying anything when I'm there. It's just easier and cheaper to buy online for me.

Shoebacca wrote:

I visit the store whenever I'm in Boston, but I also admit to not buying anything when I'm there. It's just easier and cheaper to buy online for me.

It is tough for the brick and mortar stores in general with Amazon and the rest, and with running shoes if you actually know what you want. It's still a shame for a place with the kind of history and associations that Bill Rodgers' place has to close. It's one of those links to the days when road running was mostly a few oddball guys running trying to run as fast as they could instead of middle aged people trying to lose weight.

Pour one out for Howard's original Marathon Sports on Mass Ave in Cambridge.

And yet "Cheers" still lives on using the fame somehow brought to it by a sitcom that ended ~20 years ago.

distance guy wrote:

And yet "Cheers" still lives on using the fame somehow brought to it by a sitcom that ended ~20 years ago.

Cheers lives on because of something called "worldwide syndication" and Netflix streaming service.

Some brands are only discounted if you join the "club" for $1.99. If you don't join the club you pay full price. But who wouldn't spend $1.99 in order to save $25 - $30???

That was a wonderful store that Howard had. BRRC was a great store, with fantastic nostalgia items, great staff,service etc. Hard to believe that someone as well-known as Bill couldn't compete in retail running. I know the overhead at Fanueil Hall was outrageous and a lot of tourists went there to LOOK, and then buy shoes on-line. Hard to make it as mostly a museum/shrine. Good luck to Bill, Charlie and the employees! Sad news.

Locally (Minneapolis area), running stores are doing pretty well, despite on-line competition. The rents are more favorable than downtown Boston, for example, and that's a huge factor. A brick and mortar running store can definitely compete with on-line, if its overhead is reasonable and service is good. Too many people still like to see the merchandise and talk to real, live people about local races, routes,training,etc.

Those suggesting the demise of bricks and mortar running stores know not of what you speak. These stores, as a whole, have had increases in sales every year for more than 10 years. The most recent quarter was an all time record for bricks and mortar running specialty stores. Just because you may find a deal online doesn't mean people aren't shopping at those stores. The facts don't lie. You don't know what you are talking about. Do a little research and you'll see.

Just like any industry, there will be some stores that close, but that doesn't mean they are all going away. There are more running stores today than ever. Maybe the rent got too high. Maybe they weren't offering the selection of new product that people want these days. Maybe they were just ready to move on.

Many people appreciate the service they receive from a running store. The knowledge. The community involvement. The passion. The local connection. The common bond shared between the sales associate and the customer.

And believe it or not, most of these stores offer club discounts or rewards programs that put pricing fairly close to the deals you receive online. They may not have the older models in stock at $40 off but that's because they tend to have the most current product available.

Those suggesting the demise of bricks and mortar running stores know not of what you speak. These stores, as a whole, have had increases in sales every year for more than 10 years. The most recent quarter was an all time record for bricks and mortar running specialty stores. Just because you may find a deal online doesn't mean people aren't shopping at those stores. The facts don't lie. You don't know what you are talking about. Do a little research and you'll see.

Just like any industry, there will be some stores that close, but that doesn't mean they are all going away. There are more running stores today than ever. Maybe the rent got too high. Maybe they weren't offering the selection of new product that people want these days. Maybe they were just ready to move on.

Many people appreciate the service they receive from a running store. The knowledge. The community involvement. The passion. The local connection. The common bond shared between the sales associate and the customer.

And believe it or not, most of these stores offer club discounts or rewards programs that put pricing fairly close to the deals you receive online. They may not have the older models in stock at $40 off but that's because they tend to have the most current product available.

They are jacking up the rents significantly and making it relatively impossible for Bill Rogers' to stay....let alone many other stores at Fanueil Hall.

Basically they want to turn a lot of that area into (a) hotels, and a few years ago there were major ownership/real estate changes for the plaza. And every small business (of which there are many) is feeling pressure.

Also, one of the few guys who worked there died last spring (RIP), and that took the wind out of the sails a bit.

A brick and mortar running specialty store could survive in Boston b/c of the heritage and the marathon, but for BRRC it is (IMO) just the end of its course.

stick with eharmony wrote:

It's actually Bill Rodger's

Please learn grammer

Use periods you jerk.

So sad. I remember dropping by the store back in 2010 after doing my first marathon. I found out that Bill was going to be there the next day, made my wife return with me. We waited for nearly 2 hours to meet Bill and get an autograph. Best time spent. I met 3 great people who are now my friends, met Bill of course....and I got to see all the wonderful bits of running history that Bill has displayed throughout the store.

Its too bad because there needs to be more of these type of running stores. Staffed with people who actually know about running, not concerned about making commission on a sale....

nopey wopey copey

ropey don't use periods

i am a jerk

this message was created with kibo 5.0a

grammar doesn't matter?

If Bill Rodgers Running Center is to close then

where will Bill be staying. I love him very much

yet I am a genderless computer.

Please, have a nice day.

Good to hear. Glad the industry is still supplying some jobs.

Personally, I haven't purchased anything from a running store in several years. I buy all my running shoes and clothes on line. Cheaper, better selection, more convenient.

I Love Lucy wrote:

distance guy wrote:

And yet "Cheers" still lives on using the fame somehow brought to it by a sitcom that ended ~20 years ago.

Cheers lives on because of something called "worldwide syndication" and Netflix streaming service.

I was referring to the bar located a mile away in Boston, which thrives due to its loose affiliation with the show to which you were referring.

sad news indeed

won't be the same to be in Boston for marathon weekend and that store not be there.

i bought a bunch of Boston marathon gear there - for several years, their BAA-sanctioned t-shirts were better looking than most of the other ones you could get at the expo... lately, not so much

i got my ultimate BAA souvenir there - a black leather jacket, embossed with the BAA logo... Charlie sold me the one out of the window as it was the only one in my size...