×

Strong Demand

Runnings To Open Area Store Later This Month

A sign for Runnings pictured Tuesday afternoon before it was installed along Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott. The home, farm and outdoor store said it plans to hold a soft opening Sept. 26, with a grand opening in early October. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Signs that Runnings is about to open its West Ellicott location are becoming more apparent.

Besides Facebook advertisements and billboards along Interstate 86 and East Second Street in Jamestown announcing the pending opening for the home, farm and outdoor store, the clearest indication yet came Tuesday when the business installed its sign in front of the 720 Fairmount Ave. property formerly home to Sam’s Club.

The company confirmed to The Post-Journal that the store will hold a soft opening Thursday, Sept. 26, with a grand opening scheduled between Oct. 9 and 13.

“Our Runnings Team is super excited to be opening soon and cannot wait to show the community our new store,” Runnings said on Facebook regarding the West Ellicott store.

Nationwide, the company has 45 stores and employs more than 2,200 workers. It sells a variety of sporting goods, clothing, footwear, farm supplies and outdoor equipment.

Runnings will employ 54 workers at its West Ellicott store. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

Runnings announced in March it planned to move into the 115,000-square-foot facility, previously home to Sam’s Club, which closed unexpectedly in January 2018 along with dozens of other stores across the country.

The Jamestown area Runnings began hiring employees in June. Locally, the business will employ 54 workers in addition to the 42 employees hired for the new Plattsburgh location.

In all, there will be nine New York stores in operation by the end of the month. Based out of Marshall, Minn., Runnings has locations in New York, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

“We open new stores where there is a strong demand from customers who live and love the rural lifestyle,” said Dennis Reed, chief executive officer, in March of the planned West Ellicott and Plattsburgh stores. “We’re very excited to open our doors and serve customers in these two communities with a wide selection of trusted brands, competitive prices and hometown friendly customer service.”

Runnings was founded in 1947 and began as an automotive supply and farm store.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today