I'll 2nd Barry's comment. The service at Philadelphia Runner is awesome. I think the staff has some of the Philly track club people working there. It's like a miny Hanson's but with Puma not Brooks. Oh yeah, and its always busy there.
I'll 2nd Barry's comment. The service at Philadelphia Runner is awesome. I think the staff has some of the Philly track club people working there. It's like a miny Hanson's but with Puma not Brooks. Oh yeah, and its always busy there.
Ol\\\' School Steve wrote:
I don't know about busiest, best, etc. running store in the U.S., but hands down the WORST is Running Room. I always say that RR is Canada's revenge on the U.S. for
exporting McD's, KFC, Pizza Butt, etc. to them. When they started expansion into the U.S. in 2001, U.S running store owners were somewhat concerned. They have had a "divide and conquer", Wal-Martesque approach to running stores that worked in Canada.It hasn't caught on in Minnesota; they keep opening more stores that do relatively small business, trying to get market share. The very good running stores in the Twin Cities have not felt RR's impact. RR will spread like a cancer to other markets in the U.S., but the good running stores will flourish!!
If mcd's, kfc and pizza hut (i prefer pizza slut to butt) are so bad for canada why did they flourish? how can they exist? same with walmart everyone loves to take the snobbish, moralistic tone when denouncing walmart and fast food chains but, they are a success. if you don't like it don't shop there, if you think you are not getting paid enough go find another place to work that pays you your perceived value (just about everyone thinks they are worth more than they get paid). look what germany did to walmart they kicked W-M out because no one would shop there. i don't like paying the high service premium to go buy a gallon of milk at the local store. i know what i want and i know i can get it there.
if you think about it are running stores selling shoes, or expertise and knowledge? running stores are not modelled to serve to experienced runners who know what they need. they are modelled to help people who are beginners and don't have a clue what they need. (i guess another premium is able to get your shoes quickly instead of waiting for shipping or getting shoes only running stores are allowed to carry). most good runners have shoe deals from their local store anyway.
So denouncing RR as a cancer is irresponsible. if they succeed than that is a reflection of the market's needs not,
the local running shop's higher plain of morality. why should i be forced to pay for a service i don't need?
running stores will all cater towards the "yuppy" crowd. remember the demographic that is helping running stores flourish nationwide-the overweight, bored, housewife that wants to make her life worth something so why not try something as simple and challenging as a marathon (and women who have been wearing horrible shoes all their lives and need something that will not irritate their PF, heel spurs, bunyons, and neuromas.)
sorry for the misspellings, fragments, run-ons, and capitilizing.
"Meanwhile, BRC in Boulder offers no meaningful development opportunity for runners and they're considered the best store in the nation."
Wrong. The Boulder store and Asics just struck a deal a few months ago to support a small team similar to what they have in Colorado Springs. In the next year or so they will have some good talent on the team.
sjc wrote:
"Meanwhile, BRC in Boulder offers no meaningful development opportunity for runners and they're considered the best store in the nation."
Wrong. The Boulder store and Asics just struck a deal a few months ago to support a small team similar to what they have in Colorado Springs. In the next year or so they will have some good talent on the team.
Why are most of the runners on the team from other states?
Beauty school drop-out, go back to high school.
miltonfriedman wrote:
If mcd's, kfc and pizza hut (i prefer pizza slut to butt) are so bad for canada why did they flourish? how can they exist? same with walmart everyone loves to take the snobbish, moralistic tone when denouncing walmart and fast food chains but, they are a success. if you don't like it don't shop there, if you think you are not getting paid enough go find another place to work that pays you your perceived value (just about everyone thinks they are worth more than they get paid). look what germany did to walmart they kicked W-M out because no one would shop there. i don't like paying the high service premium to go buy a gallon of milk at the local store. i know what i want and i know i can get it there.
if you think about it are running stores selling shoes, or expertise and knowledge? running stores are not modelled to serve to experienced runners who know what they need. they are modelled to help people who are beginners and don't have a clue what they need. (i guess another premium is able to get your shoes quickly instead of waiting for shipping or getting shoes only running stores are allowed to carry). most good runners have shoe deals from their local store anyway.
So denouncing RR as a cancer is irresponsible. if they succeed than that is a reflection of the market's needs not,
the local running shop's higher plain of morality. why should i be forced to pay for a service i don't need?
running stores will all cater towards the "yuppy" crowd. remember the demographic that is helping running stores flourish nationwide-the overweight, bored, housewife that wants to make her life worth something so why not try something as simple and challenging as a marathon (and women who have been wearing horrible shoes all their lives and need something that will not irritate their PF, heel spurs, bunyons, and neuromas.)
sorry for the misspellings, fragments, run-ons, and capitilizing.
Playmakers in Lansing, Michigan.
"Why are most of the runners on the team from other states?"
The individual who is largely responsible for the sponsorship basically picked a bunch of friends for the inaugural team. That is why the team is not entirely from Colorado/Boulder area. Like I said previously, in the next year or so you can expect some good talent to be on the BRC/Asics Boulder team. There will probably be a few guys who have run 3:45/14:00/29:00 or right around there. The club nationals results were from the friends of the individual responsible for the sponsorship. Obviously they are not the fast guys I just mentioned but the team will have those type of guys soon. There are commitments right now that prevent some of those guys from being on the BRC/Asics team.
Will they be fielding a team for next month's race?
I used to push product for Fleet Feet in Chicago so I got a put a word in for FF. During the late winter and spring we have the Shamrock Shuffle, then in the summer the Avon Walk and all the marathon training. Constantly busy and during the weekend I was helping 2-3 people at a time ALL day in a good size store. Good hours (open 'til 8 during the week), great education for runners, and good service.
Nice to (finally) see wrote:
Will they be fielding a team for next month's race?
Yes
Gazelle Sports has a great store in Grand Rapids. It is huge and has a great feel inside. They also cover the whole fitness spectrum carrying Patagonia and North Face as well as swimming, tri, soccer, and yoga apparell. I know they are doing a top of buisness right now too. West Michigan also has a great running scene which helps to fuel the store.
Yeah, Skinny Raven in Alaska is pretty much the only running store in the state. So it is the best. It has to provide for the whole state. It is usually pretty packed. Even in the winter.
Woodbridge Running Company in Woodbridge, CT, just out side of New Haven (home to the greatest university known to man) deserves a shout-out. I have no idea if it is the busiest or what the numbers are, but it's got great stuff and good people who know their stuff.
i have a specialty store in GA, but we are new. there is a store in atlanta called phiddipedes*(sp) that does well over $4 million a year
hey specialty owner, what store do you own? there's not many so it has to be Big Peach Running Co., Spikes, Fleet Feet, and you already named Phiddipedes.
Runner's Forum - Carmel, IN. People come from all over the Midwest to take advantage of the great service and expertise.
run fit sports in peachtree city. been open since may of 06. we have another location in macon, ga that's been open for three years.
I agree.