Naperville Running Company to open third location in Wheaton

Kris Hartner considered changing the name of his third running store to match its location.

But ultimately he decided to keep the Naperville Running Company brand when he opens a new shop later this year in downtown Wheaton.

Work already is underway at the store, which will be housed in the former train depot at 102-134 W. Front St., just north of the railroad tracks and the Illinois Prairie Path, between Hale and Main streets.

"We're going to do what we can to maintain the historic, classic look of the train depot, but at the same time freshen it up," Hartner said. "Our landlords are really excited our building is seeing some love."

Downtown Wheaton Association Executive Director Paula Barrington said the building has been vacant for about two years. It was previously been split into two retail spaces. One housed the now closed YoYo Land frozen yogurt shop and another held Posh Salon, which moved to 213 W. Wesley St. in downtown.

Hartner said he started to seriously consider opening a third location after a running store in Glen Ellyn closed this past spring. A Sports Authority in Wheaton's Rice Lake Square shopping center also shuttered.

"We know we have a nice customer base up there," he said. "The businesses that have been up there, they've struggled a little bit, but I think with our reach and our staff and the brands we partner with, we could do really, really well."

The store will carry just about anything a runner needs. There is a wide selection of footwear from big and small brands, as well as running apparel, hydration equipment and accessories for cross-country and track.

Hartner said a lot of the products can be found online or at other stores, but people come to Naperville Running Company for the guidance, experience and care they receive from the staff, which consists of more than 30 runners who have undergone 80 hours of training.

"We make a connection," he said. "If somebody comes in, we work with them to figure out what their needs are. We're going to help you find great shoes that feel good and look good if we can."

Hartner said a large percentage of customers don't even consider themselves runners, so anyone in need of a good shoe is welcome.

The company started in 2000 in downtown Naperville, where the flagship store still operates. A second location opened in 2014 in south Naperville that Hartner said took a lot of legwork, but will likely make the opening of a third location easier.

"I'm not really planning to be a store of 10 locations, but we have some opportunity here," he said.

Barrington said she thinks the company is making a "very smart move" by adding a Wheaton location.

"You have a lot of avid runners in this community, you also have a lot of running events held throughout the year in downtown Wheaton," she said. "To be able to serve that market by having a location in Wheaton is ideal."

Hours at the new store will be the same as the other Naperville Running Company locations: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A soft opening is scheduled for the beginning of November.

"The Wheaton store will be smaller, but it will have its own character and energy," Hartner said. "We're very excited about it."