Fleet Feet reported it acquired Charlotte, NC-based run specialty store The Ultra Running Company from industry veteran Nathan Leehman. The store was rebranded to Fleet Feet Charlotte–Myers Park.
The store will continue serving the local running and walking community with Hickory, NC, native Brett Albers as the operating partner for the store. Albers and his family have lived in Charlotte since 2019. He leads the Fleet Feet Charlotte–Waverly Walk and Fleet Feet Fort Mill stores.
“Over the past decade, under Nathan’s leadership, URC has become a home for running enthusiasts in and around Charlotte,” said Albers. “Nathan’s phenomenal dedication and passion for running and serving the running community has been nothing short of inspiring, and we’re honored he’s chosen to hand the baton to Fleet Feet.”
Leehman first opened URC in 2013. It has since become a running destination in Charlotte, earning a spot as one of the Top 50 running stores in the U.S. Several URC employees will become Fleet Feet employees as part of the buyout.
“I’ve had an amazing ‘run’ at the Ultra Running Company, and when it became time to think about what was next for the store and community, Fleet Feet was the obvious answer,” said Leehman.
Fleet Feet Charlotte–Myers Park will operate with the brand’s outfitting experience, fit id, which includes pressure plates and 3D foot scanning technology that allows the brand to assess the size and shape of customers’ feet and how each foot moves through the gait cycle.
Photo courtesy Fleet Feet
