Fleet Feet announced that Ed and Ellen Griffin have retired after 21 years of owning their Fleet Feet franchise business. With stores located in DeWitt and Clay, NY, the Griffins had employed hundreds in the Syracuse area and empowered thousands of runners through their training programs and community events. Fleet Feet has acquired both stores, allowing the brand to maintain its presence in each community.
“Ellen and Ed have been dedicated members of the Fleet Feet family since opening their first store in 2000. They continually demonstrated a keen mix of business acumen, relentless passion for helping people and fostering partnerships, and a deep belief in empowering their employees,” said Joey Pointer, CEO of Fleet Feet. “We’re appreciative of the legacy the Griffins are leaving in Syracuse and look forward to continuing to serve the running and walking community for years to come.”
After opening their first Fleet Feet store in 2000, the Griffins established a strong bond with the running community in Syracuse by providing personalized footwear solutions, training programs and engaging with the local community. Their Syracuse store was nationally recognized as one of the “Best Running Stores in America” every year from 2006 to 2019 and, in 2012, was recognized as the “#1 Running Store in America.” The Griffins opened their second Fleet Feet store in Clay, NY in 2013.
“Ellen and I have a genuine love for the sport, a great passion for inspiring others and have always believed in fostering relationships in the Syracuse community,” said Ed Griffin. “We’re proud of the thousands who have participated in our training programs and community events and have been blessed with amazing customers who reminded us every day why we started Fleet Feet. We take great comfort in knowing that what we started in 2000 will continue strong and long into the future.”
Chris Braker, a Fleet Feet operator who for the past few months has been working closely with the Griffins, will lead the team and all business operations moving forward for Fleet Feet Syracuse. Braker was most recently the operating partner at Fleet Feet’s Mishawaka, IN store where he expanded Fleet Feet’s brand reach. The existing Syracuse team will remain at both store locations.
Founded in 1976, Fleet Feet has 185 locations in 37 states and a national headquarters in Carrboro, NC.
Photo courtesy Ed and Ellen Griffin
