Fleet Feet Sports To Open Within the Week
Decatur Metro | July 3, 2008
Jeff at Whit’s End reports that Fleet Feet Sports (next to Whit’s End on West Ponce) will be open within the week.
Honestly, this little piece of news isn’t all that surprising, since I saw staff at the new store working late into the night stocking shelves and taking inventory as we stumbled back from Taqueria yesterday evening.
Best of Luck Fleet Feet! We’re almost neighbors!
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I am in contact with the folks at Fleet Feet, and they will open as soon as possible. They are eager to open, but are waiting for the rest of their stock to arrive. As soon as they have a firm date, I will pass it around so we can get my new neighbor off to a good start! Also, like me they live in Decatur.
Whoa, slow down everybody. I know there are more runners in this area than most other parts of the city (myself included), but do we really need 3 running stores within a 1.5 miles of each other? We already have One Step at a Time in Oakhurst, plus the new Big Peach on Trinity. Now we’re adding in a Fleet Feet on Ponce – sounds like too many fishermen fishing in a small pond. Hope I’m wrong about this, but I can’t imagine Decatur being able to support two running specialty stores, let alone three.
So, now we have three good options for finding running shoes in the city, but only one fairly lousy grocery…
i’ll buy shoes there. didn’t even know the other two you mentioned were here. just be glad it’s not a another gift shop. (nothing against gift shops, we just have our share).
wish we had a good hobby shop too … model trains, r/c airplanes, etc. do these places exist anymore? we’ve got plenty of good places to drink beer, so maybe other hobbies aren’t necessary, but just a thought.
I’ve always bought running shoes from Charles in Oakhurst. We already have a specialty running store in Decatur. I hope people support the original. However, all three stores will now have to fight it out for the the same marketshare and all three will suffer. The winner will have the deepest pockets. It all seems so “Decatur” to go from one type of store to three of that same type in a matter of months. Another wine bar or thai restaurant for anyone?
the same thing happened with ice cream shops. . . .
Not to mention the San Francisco Coffee that opened next door (!) to Java Monkey…
There’s also an Athlete’s Foot in the short strip mall at the corner of Church and N. Decatur, just outside the city limits, in the corner of the Suburban Plaza mall.
It’s having a sale this week, up to 75% off (but mostly considerably less than that.
I called and they are supposed to open on Thursday, July 17th. I’ll frequent their store because of their Decatur & Emory University Hospital connection…and I REALLY need a good pair of cross trainers!
As a native of Atlanta and former N. Ponce resident, I’m particularly happy to see the store open in an area where I’ve run many miles over many years. I wanted to also comment on the competitive nature of the “running” market in the area. Fleet Feet Sports stores, while serving the needs of serious runners, are designed to attract the people beginning a fitness program or currently inactive but with a desire to become active. If the universe of customers was limited to runners, I agree there would be a very small pond to fish in for three stores. But when you consider the larger population of beginners, walkers, medical referrals and working people with a desire for a well fitted pair of shoes, I believe there is real opportunity for all stores to succeed, if we expand the scope of our customer base. We look forward to being part of the Decatur community and I look forward to visiting the store (hopefully when Ellis Paul is playing at Eddie’s Attic). All the best. Tom Raynor, Chairman and CEO, Fleet Feet, Incorporated.
Hey Tom, many thanks for your comments and taking the time to stop by our site! As with any Decatur business that’s run by locals, we wish Fleet Feet all the best.
Incidentally, Ellis Paul will be at Eddie’s on Sept. 5th
Yes, let’s not forget One Step at a Time in Oakhurst. Its a wonderful shopping experience!
I had a highly enjoyable initial visit to Fleet Feet and found the service to be exceptional. Despite being crowded, they were well-staffed to accommodate folks. I must say that I’ve never had anyone spend that much time surveying my feet in order to make the perfect recommendation. I ended up purchasing extra items I didn’t even know I needed (but know my feet will thank me). The owners were more than happy to special-order some shoes for me, and my feet will probably look forward to walking about town more than ever before.
I’m quite excited that Fleet Feet is here. I’m an old fan of the store from when I lived in San Francisco. My first Fleet Feet visit was the Chestnut Street in the Marina. I was training for a marathon with no prior experience. I didn’t know anything about running shoes so I bought a pair Nike running shoes from a different running store. They didn’t have any particular recommendations and I figured that I couldn’t go wrong with Nike. I was so wrong. I hobbled into Fleet Feet on the recommendation of co-worker who knew something about running and the staff there saved me from what would have become some pretty serious injuries. They took me out back to watch me run (as much as I could at the time). As it turns out I needed something for runners who over pronate. Before Fleet Feet I had no idea what that meant. I still wear the same brand and style of running shoes today, and I won’t switch. However, for the past several years since moving here I’ve had to order them online because I can’t find them any place else. Now I can get them down the street! Welcome, Fleet Feet! Now, if I could just get a Jamba Juice in Decatur I’d be all set
I lived in Seattle for a number of years. Jamba Juice is great!! I’ll take your advice on Fleet Feet decaturmom! Thanks!