byLarry Eder
Congrats to Fleet Feet Sports Chicago for making it to one of the four finalists for the Store of the Year! Congrats to owners Dave and Lisa Zimmer!
FLEET FEET SPORTS CHICAGO RANKS AMONG TOP FOUR RUNNING STORES IN THE COUNTRY
Announced at “The Running Event†in Austin, Texas
CHICAGO (Nov. 12, 2009) – Fleet Feet Sports Chicago was named one of the 50 Best Running Stores In America by Formula 4 Media and Competitor magazine – and was one of four finalists for National Store of the Year.
In addition to being named to the Big Four this year, Fleet Feet Sports Chicago is one of only 13 stores in the country and the only store in Illinois to be named to the 50 Best Running Stores in America list every year since its inception in 2006. The 50 Best Stores list is the result of a year-long process that rates running stores based on their customer service, their relationship with the community they serve and a number of other key factors.
Fleet Feet Sports Chicago owners Dave and Lisa Zimmer were recognized on Weds., Nov. 11, in Austin, Texas, at “The Running Eventâ€, the largest conference and trade show for running specialty stores in North America.
“Being recognized by our peers as one of the Big Four is a great honor,†said Dave Zimmer. “When Lisa and I opened our doors for the first time in 1997, our mission was to inspire people to run, walk and be fit. Throughout the past 13 years, our business has grown and changed and we’ve taken on new challenges, but all along we’ve focused on staying true to that mission.â€
In addition to operating two retail stores in Chicago (1620 N. Wells St. and 4555 N. Lincoln Ave.), the Zimmers lead a marketing team responsible for the production of five running races in many of Chicago’s neighborhoods, including the marquee 10,000-participant Soldier Field 10 Mile. The Zimmers also sponsor and support events of all sizes in the Chicago area.
“Serving our community has always been one of our guiding lights,†said Lisa Zimmer. “We’re always looking to provide education, entertainment and deliver a first-class experience for Chicagoans and all our out-of-town participants and spectators.â€
Competitor magazine used all the assets of the newly formed Competitor Group to solicit consumer input on determining the best stores in the country, including the reach of Competitor’s 2.4 million readership base. “We felt it was important to have consumers nominate their favorite specialty running stores since they best represent the end-user of specialty running services,†said John Smith, senior vice president of Competitor. “Twelve months of research, input from thousands of consumers and more than 100 store visits went into this year’s search to determine the 50 Best,†added Smith.
For more information about the 50 Best, please contact Mark Sullivan at 646/319-7878.
To learn more about Fleet Feet Sports Chicago, visit www.fleetfeetchicago.com.
To learn more about Fleet Feet Sports Chicago, or perhaps a story in your local market, we would like to suggest clicking your browser on the STORE Locator at http://www.runningnetwork.com
