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In fact, the specialty running store, which sells running shoes, apparel and shoe accessories, had its best year ever in 2010, co-owner Greg Klein said.
“When the economy gets soft, it’s the one thing they don’t have to give up,” Klein said about people going for a walk or run to exercise.
Klein, 51, and his wife, Joan Marchioro, opened their Olympia store in January 1998, followed by a store in Tacoma in 2002. The Olympia store is at 3409 Capitol Blvd., next door to a health food store. That store, Smart Nutrition, closed in March, and South Sound Running moved into its former space about a month ago, Klein said.
In doing so, the business expanded to 4,200 square feet from 2,300 square feet, giving the running store more room to carry and display merchandise, as well as giving customers more room to try on shoes. South Sound Running has what Klein calls a “runway,” a long stretch of carpet that allows customers to walk or run to try out their shoes.
The doors open at 10 a.m. during the week, and it wasn’t long before customers started walking through the door, including Russ Evenhuis, 43, of Lacey. Evenhuis, like Klein, is a longtime runner.
He ran track in high school and then ran in the Army – partly because he had to – and then advanced to triathlons in 2005. Evenhuis praised South Sound Running, saying it’s local and convenient.
“The fact that they can see you and fit you is a big, big help,” he said about the business.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403
rboone@theolympian.com
www.theolympian.com/bizblog
