Waterloo’s favourite running store spent decades at the busy corner of King and University before taking an opportunity to move to a great location one kilometre south, towards even-busier Uptown Waterloo.
Now that they are approaching one year in their new location, we caught up with Geoff Todd and Naomi Lance to chat about the past year!
RW: All in all, has it been a good first year in the new digs?
RC: Yes! We’ve been really happy at the Spur Line Crossing plaza. The area and neighbouring stores bring in a better clientele for us and our run groups have really enjoyed the change in running routes and more accessible paved pathways!
RW: Can you reflect back on the actual move, one year later?
RC: It was overwhelming how much support we had after announcing we were moving! It really was heart-warming realizing how many people cared about the business and wished us the best at the new location. There were several volunteers on moving day which helped a lot. We still see all of the same faces at our location now and we are grateful for such loyal customers!
RW: What do the run groups think about the new location? Access to good/new routes/Spur Line?
The run groups love the new routes and the paved and maintained pathways that lead in multiple directions just outside our door! Our marathon group is especially happy that they still have access to a nearby Starbucks for their post run social!
RW: Do you miss being at King & University? Runners’ Choice was there for so long!
RC: We miss the poutines! Just kidding! With the move brought some changes that were difficult to get used to but we embraced the opportunity to modify a few things around the store which has been successful!
RW: How are you finding the neighbouring businesses in the plaza, like Courts Plus and Moksha Yoga?
RC: Great! We share many like-minded customers so we think the move was beneficial for all of the businesses in the plaza including ours! All of the other business owners are very supportive when we’ve held special events and such!
RW: How are customers finding the accessibility (bus, car, parking) vs the old location?
RC: Because we’re just about two blocks from the main Uptown strip, there’s many various bus routes surrounding us and once the LRT system is finished, we hope that it brings even more consumer traffic to the area. Overall, parking is much better here and for the occasional time the lot is very busy, there’s easily accessible nearby free city parking lots to use.
RW: Is there anything else to highlight about new location?
RC: The whole plaza got an exterior face lift so to speak with the renovations during a big chunk of our first year here. The new look is amazing, modern and has elevated the atmosphere in the area!
RW: Tell us more abut the anniversary sale!
RC: Join us Friday, November 18th to Sunday November 20th. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- 50% off ALL sale zone shoes!
- 50% OFF select apparel!
- 20% OFF regular priced shoes!
- Buy any tight/pant AND jacket, receive 30% OFF
- Buy any jacket, receive 15% OFF
- Buy any tight or pant, receive 15% OFF
- Draw prize for a FREE pair of shoes!
- GIFT with purchase (limited quantities)!
RW: See you there!
