Fleet Feet has expanded its presence in Washington with the acquisition of South Sound Running.
Fleet Feet announced the acquisition of South Sound Running’s two locations, which are located Olympia and Puyallup. Wade and Julie Pannell — who previously owned six Fleet Feet locations — have acquired the South Sound Running doors after the retirement of Greg Klein and Joan Marchioro, who founded the company in 1998.
“We are honored to carry on the exceptional work of South Sound Running and deepen our connection with the Olympia and Puyallup communities,” Wade Pannell said in a statement. “With our experience in Tacoma and Bonney Lake, we have the local knowledge and experience to build upon their legacy, provide outstanding service and foster a welcoming space for runners and walkers of all levels.”
At the start of 2025, the South Sound Running locations will reopen as Fleet Feet Olympia (Jan. 2) and Fleet Feet Puyallup (Jan. 10).
Fleet Feet stated it will bring its Fit ID to the new stores, which uses 3D foot scanning technology to assess the size, shape and movement of each customer’s feet. Also, the retailer confirmed it will expand the footwear range to include Hoka, Altra and On.
The Capital City Marathon Training Program at South Sound Running, according to Fleet Feet, will continue with this acquisition and expand to include programs for 5Ks, long-distance training and trail running.
“Wade and Julie have built strong, genuine connections with their customers and communities across every market they serve,” Fleet Feet vice president of retail development John Moloznik said in a statement. “With over a decade of experience, the Pannells have consistently driven growth and excellence. We’re thrilled to continue growing alongside them and know their passion for running will make this new chapter a great success.”
The Pannell’s other six Washington stores are located in Bonney Lake, Spokane, Spokane North, Spokane Valley, Tacoma and Richland.
Speaking with FN in March, Fleet Feet chief executive officer Joey Pointer revealed if the retailer was still in acquisition mode.
“The better question is, ‘Are we in growth mode?’ because acquisition is a form of growth,” Pointer said. “Unequivocally, we’re still in growth mode. Last year, we opened 19 stores. For perspective, our [prior] No. 1 year, we opened 15. [In 2023], it was a mixture of new and existing franchisees and a handful of company-owned [stores]. In addition, Montgomery Multisport in Alabama converted to Fleet Feet. We’re always in acquisition mode. There are lots of ways we can enter a market. Acquisition is just one.”
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
