Keeping the community moving: Fleet Feet Sports opening new location in Summerville

After more than two years promoting fitness and healthy lifestyles in the Charleston community, Fleet Feet Sports is expanding their presence by opening a new location in Summerville scheduled for the end of July 2015. 

Chris and Amy Minkel, owners of Fleet Feet Sports Mount Pleasant, announced recently that after receiving numerous requests and interest from current customers to open another location in the Charleston area, it was only a matter of time before it happened.

“Summerville was the most logical choice for expansion for us,” said Chris. “Based on the tremendous growth happening in the community, coupled with the genuine interest in health and wellness, it truly made sense for us bring more support and resources to this area.”

While the location may be new, Chris and Amy plan to continue providing the same quality service and commitment to the community that customers have grown to know. 

Since the opening of the Mount Pleasant location in March 2013, Fleet Feet has provided training to more than 450 people through their running and fitness programs, including No Boundaries 5K, No Boundaries II, 10K and half marathon training programs, and have fit countless customers with the proper shoes through their detailed “fit” process. They also offer free, weekly group runs on Monday nights, year round, and Saturday mornings during the summer months that draw in nearly 30 people each week, as well as bi-monthly, fun-themed “pub runs” that have grown to more than 100 runners at each event.

Additionally, Fleet Feet partners with local high schools to provide proper fitting and donate sports bras for girls in the Charleston County junior ROTC programs through the Support the Girls initiative. To date, Fleet Feet has donated more than 500 sports bras and with the help of a community outreach grant from Brooks, the program continues to grow.

Chris and Amy have also partnered with many local businesses through their corporate wellness program, which brings education and information to help promote a healthy lifestyle in the workplace, as well as impacted the lives of 90 children from the Meeting Street Academy running club through  training, donating running shoes and encouraging the children to be active. With the support of Fleet Feet, the children have completed twelve 5K races and motivated family members, some of which have never previously run, to train with the kids. 

These same programs, initiatives and customer service that have defined Fleet Feet Sports Mount Pleasant are the same ideals they plan to bring to the Summerville location.

“By creating a warm, inclusive environment focused on customer service and education, our goal is to provide an unparalleled customer experience,” said Amy about the vision of the new store. “Whether you are a walker, runner, fitness enthusiast or simply need a comfortable pair of shoes, we want to be there to support you and help you reach your goals. We will continue to look for opportunities to expand our community outreach programs, looking for local organizations that we can provide support and resources to.”

Fleet Feet Sports Summerville will also offer some of the same training and fitness programs currently offered at the Mount Pleasant location, as well as the no-cost weekly group runs and monthly pub runs at local restaurants. 

The new store will be located at 117 East Richardson Ave., in downtown Summerville. Fleet Feet is currently hiring for the Summerville store and are looking for fitness-minded, friendly people from the local community. Those who are interested, can apply online at: http://www.fleetfeetmountpleasant.com/about/careers

“We are so excited to become part of the growing community in Summerville,” said Amy. “We have truly appreciated the support from this community over that past two years and are thrilled to bring more resources to them closer to home.”

For more information and to stay up-to-date with upcoming events and news, follow them on Facebook at Fleet Feet Sports Mount Pleasant or on their website at: http://www.fleetfeetmountpleasant.com/