Fleet Feet Sports announced the mid-October opening of a new store in Chattanooga, TN. The store will be the brand’s first location in the Chattanooga market and will open in the popular NorthShore neighborhood at 313 Manufacturers Road.
Running store veteran Steve Carter will operate and manage the store, stepping into the leadership role after serving as GM and general merchandising manager of the Fleet Feet Sports location in Huntsville, AL. Carter spent 11 years working alongside Huntsville store co-owners Dink and Suzanne Taylor, followed by training in Fleet Feet Sports’ flagship store in Carrboro and participation in a staff leadership development program.
“We’ve been putting together the pieces for the right opportunity to enter into the robust Chattanooga market for some time now, and are just thrilled at the outcome,” said Jeff Phillips, CEO and president, Fleet Feet Inc. “The NorthShore neighborhood and its collection of locally-owned small businesses is already a tremendous destination for the Chattanooga community, and is the perfect place for a passionate professional like Steve to set up in and really start making a difference.”
Carter’s wife Jennifer, an established coach for the brand’s No Boundaries running training program, will lead all training program efforts in the new location, also building 10k and half-marathon programs. The training programs will join other signature features of the franchise including an industry-leading FIT process, community outreach and support, premier partnerships with top running brands including New Balance, Asics, Nike and Brooks, and a premium in-store experience grounded in service, knowledge and discovery.
“For a guy that’s wanted to own his own running store since the age of 15, this is a dream-come true,” said Carter. “I know the impact a well-run running store can make in a community, from witnessing what Dink and Suzanne have been able to do in Huntsville, and I look forward to building that same type of energy, health and passion in Chattanooga.”
The Chattanooga location becomes the 155th Fleet Feet Sports location and the sixth in the state of Tennessee. The leader in franchising locally owned-and-operated, community-oriented running retailers, Fleet Feet Sports supports its stores from its headquarters in Carrboro, NC, and will celebrate its 40th year as a brand in 2016.
