Ultra Running Company closes its South End location, citing COVID as ‘tipping point’
In 2013, the Charlotte running community gained an ally in the footwear scene when Ultra Running Company opened its first location in Myers Park. It approaches getting the right fit as a science, using a combination of technologies to help runners find properly fitting shoes. That’s important — and can be attested by anyone who has ever suffered a blister or dreaded purple toenails.
Its first store was so successful that it opened a second one at 110 West Blvd in South End in 2016 — “a vibrant, growing community that I personally think is one of the most exciting spots in the country,” owner Nathan Leehman wrote in a letter to customers on Friday morning.
On Thursday, however, Ultra Running Company announced the permanent closure of its South End location, citing the health and wellness of staff and customers. “Change happens, and it’s hitting close to home for our team this time,” read a statement on the running store’s Instagram page.
The original location at Providence and Providence in Myers Park will remain open. “We are appreciative of our friends and neighbors in the Southend Charlotte community, and hope each and every one of you will make the 2.5 mile run to Myers Park to visit us at our flagship store,” the store stated on Instagram.
On Friday morning, Leehman reached out to customers to explain more. “I started URC because there was a gap in the market I thought we could fill. URC chose to do things differently from day one – to focus on the science of running instead of accepted but incorrect fitting procedures, to offer the most innovative and best performing products on the market instead of choosing shoes based on their industry popularity ranking, and to always be honest with ourselves and our customers,” Leehman wrote.
“Unfortunately, we’ve never been able to translate that service level and feedback into viability in South End, and the COVID-19 pandemic has become a tipping point for us. We’ve spent 3½ years trying to tweak our model to fit this unique market, and in that time have not been able to find a mix that both meets the needs of the South End consumer and allows us to sleep well at night.
“While we have been comfortable adjusting our business model to accommodate for significant measures in social distancing, disinfecting and changes in routines in Myers Park, I am not confident that similar measures in South End will result in a similar level of safety for either our staff or our at-risk customers. I am disappointed to announce that July 31, 2020 was the Ultra Running Company’s last day with a store in South End.
“I have loved our location there, as well as our neighbors Pop The Top and Blaze Pizza. I consider the people we have met through our daily interaction and our PUB Run to be some of the best in Charlotte, and we’re better off for having had the opportunity to run with them,” Leehman wrote.
This story was originally published August 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM.
