Don’t tell Frank DeJulius that running is a solitary sport. As the owner of the Fleet Feet store in historic Loveland, he sees running as a source of community.
“I love this store,” he smiles, sitting in the store’s back office and storeroom. “Every time I pull in, it’s like the epicenter of downtown Loveland.”
Weekends (summer or winter) bring hundreds of runners to Nisbet Park, which is right next to the Little Miami Scenic Trail—and within walking (ahem, running) distance from Fleet Feet.
“We feel like we’re the clubhouse,” explains Frank. “Where—whether to use the restroom, get a sip of water, find a new pair of shoes—runners come to congregate.”
Thinking Outside the Shoebox
For Frank, community is why he got into the running shoe biz in the first place. During college and after majoring in entrepreneurship, he worked at a Fleet Feet in another city. And liked what he saw … it was a gathering spot, where runners would meet up to go on runs together, then get food or coffee or a beer afterward. He wanted that sense of community for his own business. So, Frank stayed in touch with Fleet Feet corporate over the years. Then in 2012, he and his wife, Stacey, had the opportunity to move to Cincinnati and take over the Fleet Feet store in Blue Ash.
In time, Frank and Stacey were able to expand their footprint to three other Cincinnati locations, including one in Oakley, not too far from Bob Roncker’s Running Spot in O’Bryonville.
“He’s sort of the godfather of Cincinnati running—and really a national legend in the running community,” explains Frank.
As friendly competitors, Frank’s three Fleet Feet stores and Bob’s four Running Spot locations each continued on their own separate ways. Then in 2022, their paths crossed again, when Frank and his wife had the opportunity to purchase all four former Running Spot locations, which had since been sold to another corporation and renamed JackRabbit.
Bringing Back Heart and Sole
Frank wanted to bring back the spirit and energy that had been a hallmark of the Loveland store when it had been the Running Spot. So, he focused on providing a high level of service and reconnecting with the Loveland community.
Today, Fleet Feet is a member of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, and helps support several local events, including the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and community scavenger hunts. The couple also brought back the Running Spot’s free 5Ks on Wednesday nights—which run (pun intended) from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and attract more than 100 runners almost every week. Fleet Feet also hosts runs to raise money for local charities, including the DoitforJack/Jack Quehl Foundation, which educates students, parents and professionals about the dangers of fentanyl.
Within the Greater Cincinnati running community, Fleet Feet is probably best known for providing the Official Training Program of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, which in 2024 was rated the No. 1 marathon in the United States by USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards. Fleet Feet also offers a “No Boundaries” training program for those who are just starting to run or who want to lead a more active life. “No Boundaries is the most magical program we offer,” Frank says, smiling.
However, it’s not just runners who flock to Fleet Feet. The Loveland store also draws soccer moms and dads, athletes from school and club sports, as well as many who make a living standing on their feet all day.
“The world sees this as a running store, but really, we’re just a place for people who want comfortable shoes,” Frank offers. The shop is also a hub for popular workout apparel and athletic gear from brands like Vuori, lululemon and Brooks.
“Pairing Up” with the Right Shoe
Fleet Feet takes a highly personalized approach to helping customers find the right shoe. It’s called “fit id®”—a free service where the entire foot is scanned and turned into a 3D image. From there, the scan is compared against Fleet Feet’s database to determine a customer’s best fit profile.
“When the foot is properly supported and cushioned, you’re going to have less fatigue going all the way up your body,” explains Frank.
So whether you’re a serious runner, just getting started, or need a comfortable shoe for a long shift at the hospital, the staff at Fleet Feet will take as much time with you as you need—with prices ranging from $120 to $300, and most pairs averaging about $150.
Putting the Spirit of Community in Motion
Since 2008, Loveland’s historic Train Depot has been home to a running shop. Today, Frank wants to make sure everyone feels at home inside his Fleet Feet store, and that the spirit of community that Bob Roncker started way back in 1981 carries on. All while Fleet Feet helps to put a new generation—from runners to athletes to everyday people on their feet—in motion.
FleetFeet.com/s/cincy | 127 W. Loveland Ave, Loveland | 513.831.2378
Today, Fleet Feet is a member of the LMRCA, and helps support several local events, including the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ... free 5K Wednesdays ... and providing the Official Training Program of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon.
The world sees this as a running store, but really, we’re just a place for people who want comfortable shoes.