Specialty running retailer Ultramax Sports is being converted into a Fleet Feet Sports. Ultramax GM Eric Johnson purchased the Springfield, MO store from its current owners, Mark and Amy Livesay, and converted the store in a transaction that took place on August 26.
The Springfield Ultramax Sports location opened in 2008 at its current location, 1254 East Republic Road. An original employee, Johnson first served as store manager until becoming GM in 2013.
“Fleet Feet Sports has a 40-year history of creating opportunity for people who want to own their own business,” ssaid Jeff Phillips, CEO and president, Fleet Feet Sports. “In Eric, we know we have a strong and passionate leader who will continue to serve, build, and empower the Springfield running community along with his talented and dedicated staff.”
The store will now operate under the name Fleet Feet Sports, a name reflected on its newly launched store website, fleetfeetspringfield.com. Incorporation of Fleet Feet Sports initiatives, including the brand’s nationally recognized No Boundaries 5K training program, its 60-day Happy Fit Guarantee, and its online store at fleetfeetsports.com, has already begun. The inaugural kick-off meeting for the fall No Boundaries program takes place at the store on Sept. 20.
“This is certainly a bittersweet transition,” says Amy Livesay. “We are happy to pass the store to Eric, who has loyally served the running community so passionately over the past eight years. We know he will continue to do wonderful things for Springfield, and we look forward to continuing to work with him and the staff through our Ultramax Race Events company.”
With the addition of the Springfield location, Fleet Feet Sports now has a total of six locations across the state of Missouri, with five stores located in the St. Louis area— Chesterfield, Des Peres, O’Fallon, South County, and St. Charles. Last year, Fleet Feet Sports acquired the Ultramax Sports location in Kansas City, Kan.
