I was thinking about this on my run the other day. I know Super Runners Shop (which first opened as Super Shoe) was the first in NYC, but I wonder what twas the first one in the United States.
I was thinking about this on my run the other day. I know Super Runners Shop (which first opened as Super Shoe) was the first in NYC, but I wonder what twas the first one in the United States.
I always heard it was Bob Roncker in Cincinnati - since 1981. Also, sold out recently, but still a store
The most common answer I hear is Phidippides in Atlanta (1975), but I know The Competitive Foot in Illinois was supposedly opened in 1974.
Baumans opened in 1974. Ordered a pair of Karhu 2323 from them around June 1975
Athletic Attic--Liquori in early 70s
xlev2 wrote:
Athletic Attic--Liquori in early 70s
1971
According to Wikipedia it was the Athlete's Foot in 1971-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Athlete%27s_FootIn 1971, David Lando realized that athletic shoes were by far the highest selling product in his store. That year, he and his son, Michael Lando, opened the first The Athlete's Foot store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the first athletic footwear specialty store of its kind in the United States.
Browning Ross, Sports East, 1970. He also started Long Distance Log in mid-50's, probably first running magazine.
In Gainesville FL..it was a small shop above a shoe store...
Track Fan 1979 wrote:
I was thinking about this on my run the other day. I know Super Runners Shop (which first opened as Super Shoe) was the first in NYC, but I wonder what twas the first one in the United States.
The Keds chain of stores in the 1960's started it all.
Marathon Sports in Cambridge, Ma. was in business in 1973 when I was in the area for my first Boston Marathon and it had been opened for some time. I don't know if it predates Athletic Attic or not but they're of similar vintage.
Muhreke selling shoes out of a van at races was an idea before its time.
wasn't it a guy selling Tiger's out the back of his car at track meets?
Track Shack in Orlando FL was 1975
1st Place Sports in Jacksonville FL was 1976
Footworks in Miami, FL was 1973
HRE wrote:
Marathon Sports in Cambridge, Ma. was in business in 1973 when I was in the area for my first Boston Marathon and it had been opened for some time. I don't know if it predates Athletic Attic or not but they're of similar vintage.
Marathon Sports opened its first store on Mass Ave in '75.
Dick Pond Athletics / 1969
Dick Pond's car trunk perhaps even earlier.
Penusinue opened in L.A. in 69
New balance running store on Broadway in Portland, OR. Not sure when it opened.
Dick's Sporting Goods started as a bait and tackle store in the late 40s.