Fleet Feet announced the opening of a store in Flowood, MS, later this fall. Lesley and Matthew Holleman, co-owners of the Fleet Feet location in Ridgeland, MS, will own the 1,956-square-foot Flowood store opening in the Lakeland Commons shopping center at 153 Ridge Way.
“Lesley and Matthew’s commitment to the greater Jackson area running community is a prime example of the power of local ownership,” said Robyn Goby, vice president of development for Fleet Feet. “From Lesley’s early days working under veteran Fleet Feet store owner Jeff Wells to her time in our store development company program to both Lesley and Matthew’s leadership as co-owners of the Jackson store, the Hollemans continue to live by the belief that running changes everything and have proven that for countless members of the Jackson running community.”
Lesley joined Fleet Feet in 2003 as an outfitter after Wells opened the Ridgeland store that same year. Over the next three years, she worked with Wells to help build the running community in the greater Jackson area, laying the groundwork for the robust community that exists today.
When Wells left in 2006 to take ownership of the Fleet Feet location in Nashville, TE, Lesley enrolled in the Development Company, Fleet Feet’s five-year program that helps put people on a pathway to franchise ownership. Lesley became the official owner of the store in 2011.
“The community of runners who support our store every day are unbelievably passionate, welcoming and have helped us build something truly special in the Jackson area,” said Lesley. “Their support has fueled our growth in ways we never dreamed and allows us the opportunity to build the same type of community in the town of Flowood.”
Lesley said they plan to hold a grand opening celebration when the store opens later this year, with details coming out closer to the event. The Flowood store will employ up to 10 full- and part-time positions, and will offer training programs for The Big Run 5K June event through Fleet Feet Running Club beginning in March 2019, online shopping at fleetfeet.com. and fit id, the brand’s in-store outfitting experience that features 3D foot scanning technology.
A cross country team walk-on her senior year at Delta State, Lesley Holleman has since gone on to complete seven marathons including the Boston Marathon; Chicago Marathon and multiple 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons. Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, Lesley Holleman married Matthew, a native of Jackson and graduate of Ole Miss, in 2012. They have two sons, Matthew and Thomas.
Founded in 1976, Fleet Feet is the largest franchisor of locally owned and operated running stores with 175 locations in 37 states and a national headquarters in Carrboro, NC.
Photo courtesy Fleet Feet
