What makes a running shoe store, "great?"

People who work there aren't pricks, and think they are faster then everyone, basically people who arent flat out dickholes.

I'm always surprised at the stores that don't understand how to market themselves by providing services to the running community...hosting runs, providing training programs, discounts to clubs and teams, etc.

Some of my favorites and cool things they do (or did when I lived there):

Run-Tex (Austin, TX)--water and gatorade at Town Lake

Run On! (Dallas)--good group runs out to White Rock Lake; sponsored race team and athletes

Fleet Feet franchises in Sandy Springs, Ga and Adams Morgan, DC--indoor track at the former, great staff at the latter

Big Peach Running Co. (Atlanta)--group runs on trails, race sponsorships, very good selection, brought in Nick Willis a few weeks ago

Breakaway Athletics (Memphis)--the store that time forgot, but good selection and group runs.

squggie53 wrote:

I'm trying to evaluate local running shoe stores - real running shoe stores - to find the best one. What criteria should I use to accomplish this?

They won't try to talk you out of buying minimalist shoes for training.

a journalist wrote:

Wrong.

Our local running store does this:

1. Supports our track club's summer all-comers meets so no one pays a cent in entry fees.

2. Offers discounts to school teams.

3. Alters shoes, swaps insoles, even cuts outsoles off and puts new ones on, among other "tricks" (the manager has 2 shoe patents and has been in the business for 30 years) to fit runners the best and to help those with injuries heal.

4. Sponsors many races around to keep entry fees low.

5. Sponsors elite runners.

6. Sponsors a beginner's running group with more than 130 runners.

7. Special orders shoes and pays shipping and for next-day delivery.

8. Carries a huge inventory of shoes and clothing.

You can't get this online.

Um, yes, I can get all this (save one) online.

1. I'm not in yours, or any other track club, so I guess I pay - nothing new here.

2. I'm not in school, so a school discount does me no favor.

3. I can alter my shoes, swap insoles and other "tricks" I learn online.

4. I can appreciate this, so thank you.

5. I'm not elite, so I receive no sponsorship - nothing new here.

6. I'm not a beginner runner, so I'm not a part of the 130 runners you are sponsoring.

7. Every order I make online is special, just for me, and many sites offer free shipping with a moderately priced order.

8. I'm fairly certain the entire internet offerings grossly exceed any inventory you'll ever carry.

Thanks anyway.

Actually I'm in Eugene, OR, mind recommending a good store to get recommendations on shoes? (I only run for fitness, and have never been checked for proration, etc.)

SPIKES!!!!!!!

I think one major advantage to a store is that you can actually try on the shoes before you buy them. Yes, you might be very knowledgeable about your running equipment, but until you try on that shoe, you won\'t really know if you\'ll like it.

people who will sell you the shoe that is better for you even though it is cheaper.

I don't work at a running store. But I've been running for more than 30 years now, and ever since they discontinued the Nike Terra TC I've been trying to find a shoe I like.

I've bought lightweight trainers on the internet I thought would work, and been dead wrong but only discovered it after a few days of running. Online stores won't take back slightly used shoes.

At the aforementioned store, I've bought shoes, tried them for a few days, and still been able to return them and get another pair.

one that is a part of the running community. hires runners needing part time work so as to train. they sponsor events, hold seminars, act as a clearing house for runners looking for workout partners, cool running posters on wall. need i say more?

Um, yes, I can get all this (save one) online.

1. I\'m not in yours, or any other track club, so I guess I pay - nothing new here.

2. I\'m not in school, so a school discount does me no favor.

3. I can alter my shoes, swap insoles and other \"tricks\" I learn online.

4. I can appreciate this, so thank you.

5. I\'m not elite, so I receive no sponsorship - nothing new here.

6. I\'m not a beginner runner, so I\'m not a part of the 130 runners you are sponsoring.

7. Every order I make online is special, just for me, and many sites offer free shipping with a moderately priced order.

8. I\'m fairly certain the entire internet offerings grossly exceed any inventory you\'ll ever carry.

Thanks anyway.[/quote]

Yes, but do you ever get laid while trolling running websites in your little online world? Get out of your parents\' basement once in awhile.

If all the running shoe stores close due to online sales how will beginning runners find a shoe that fits them? (not just size but adequate to their foot strike, mpw, etc.)

I'm not saying that everyone should only shop at brick and mortar stores but the future of our sport needs these stores. A new person would have a difficult time shoopping for shoes online without some knowledgeable sales staff helping them.

I think one thing that makes a great running store is when the staff is paid a flat hourly rate and not on commission. This allows the staff to be quite candid about shoes and not just try to sell ahigh priced pair.

it is like record stores....the great Tower record chain has closed down....a big mall where i live, now has no record store, where as 10 years ago they had 3. I had to drive all around to find a brick and mortar store to buy a cd. Seems like the younger people aren't buying cds anymore but simply downloading everything or buying online.

rib nerd wrote:

I think one thing that makes a great running store is when the staff is paid a flat hourly rate and not on commission. This allows the staff to be quite candid about shoes and not just try to sell ahigh priced pair.

Great point.

It also helps if they look like experienced runners. I'm in my 40's and taking advice about running shoes from a younger person who could stand to drop 20 pounds doesn't instill confidence.

rib nerd wrote:

If all the running shoe stores close due to online sales how will beginning runners find a shoe that fits them? (not just size but adequate to their foot strike, mpw, etc.)

Maybe they'll run barefoot instead, which is what they should be doing anyway.

The Boulder Running Company has everything a real runner needs. However, the BRC stays afloat because it caters to rich women who wear fashionable clothing while exercising. The place is always busy. I only use the store to buy replacement spikes once a year. I think I spend about 2 dollars a year there. Don't cater to real runners. We're too cheap!

1. Good selection of trainers esp. lightweight trainers, and flats.

2. They carry spikes.

3. They'll offer to order something for you if it's not in stock. And no one has everything in stock.

4. Store personnel have familiarity with upcoming races and meets.

Journalist,

This is RunIN isn't it? You're right, it is excellent but I think you and I realize just how lucky this area is to have it (Jeff). I travel a lot and see that other cities (Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston) are not as lucky.

Notakicker wrote:

The Boulder Running Company has everything a real runner needs. However, the BRC stays afloat because it caters to rich women who wear fashionable clothing while exercising. The place is always busy. I only use the store to buy replacement spikes once a year. I think I spend about 2 dollars a year there. Don't cater to real runners. We're too cheap!

how true. if it was not for the non runners, running stores would go under. we sell more plastiic sandals and flip flops than shoes.