Fleet Feet Sports announced the opening of a new Fleet Feet Sports location in Fort Myers, FL.
Experienced retail veteran and runner Russ Kozar and his wife Kristina will co-own the store, which opened July 27 at 13499 South Cleveland Ave. Kozar spent the last two and a half years serving as the general manager of two Fleet Feet Sports locations in Nashville, Tenn. He previously worked in store management of several Lowe’s locations in Iowa, Indiana, and Tennessee.
“What’s so unique and special about Fleet Feet Sports is that we’re able to create and cultivate the next generation of Fleet Feet Sports owners within our own stores,” says Robyn Goby, vice president of development for Fleet Feet Sports. “Russ blends a personal love and passion for running with years of professional retail management experience, and that’s just the perfect set-up for a successful, meaningful, long-lasting business.”
“Fleet Feet Sports is all about being that place where anyone of any fitness level can come and get advice, inspiration, and motivation,” says Kozar. “I learned from the best in terms of working with (Fleet Feet Sports Nashville owner) Christi Beth Adams, and can’t wait to grow and support the strong, vibrant, passionate running community in Fort Myers.”
Kozar says the community can expect many exciting offerings at the store, including Fleet Feet Sports’ exclusive 3D scanning experience, fit id, the Finnish running brand Karhu and its line of running shoes found only at Fleet Feet Sports, and the upcoming Project Zero initiative, a collaboration with Mizuno that will raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation during the month of October through the sale of exclusive colors of the brand’s best-selling Wave Rider running shoe.
Additionally, Kozar says the store will offer several training programs for the community beginning in September, including a WalkFit program and the national 5K training program No Boundaries, which will prepare participants for the Gobbler 5K on Thanksgiving.
A store grand opening celebration will take place Sept. 1-4, with specific details found at fleetfeetfortmyers.com.
With the addition of the Fort Myers location, Fleet Feet Sports now has a total of six locations in Florida; two in Orlando, one in Delray Beach, one in Sarasota, and one in Stuart.
Founded in 1976, the brand currently has 170 locations in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
Photo courtesy Fleet Feet
