“The right fitting shoe helps you move again and walk pain-free,” Preston said.
Owner Bill Preston and his highly trained staff greet customers with a hands-on approach, beginning with a one-on-one consultation about footwear needs. From there, the experience becomes high-tech, featuring a 3D foot scan and pressure plate analysis that evaluates foot shape, arch height and gait. This data-driven approach ensures that every customer finds the ideal shoe.
“The best shoe is a properly fitting shoe,” Preston said.
From Global Security to Changing Lives
Fleet Feet was originally founded in 1976 in Sacramento, before moving its headquarters to South Carolina. For Preston, his journey to owning a Fleet Feet store was anything but conventional. While working as a global security officer, he participated in a race where he met Fleet Feet owner Chris Minkels. That encounter inspired him to shift careers and focus on something that could directly impact people’s well-being.
“The right fitting shoe helps you move again and walk pain-free,” Preston said. “It’s not the brand of the shoe that matters; it’s the right fit.”
Preston has seen firsthand how a well-fitted shoe can alleviate foot and back pain, which is why medical professionals frequently refer patients to Fleet Feet. His approach goes beyond selling shoes – he and his staff educate customers, ensuring they understand how proper footwear can enhance their quality of life.
A Store With a Community Focus
Fleet Feet is not just about footwear; it’s about fostering a community of runners, hikers and walkers. The store offers a unique 30-day guarantee: while most stores prohibit returns after shoes have been worn outside, Fleet Feet encourages customers to test their shoes in real-world conditions.
Beyond shoes, Fleet Feet carries socks, insoles, apparel, nutrition bars, hydration packets and headlamps for outdoor enthusiasts. And the store is quickly making its mark in Prescott’s running community. Local artist and runner Chris Hawthorne even created a mural for the store, placed prominently above the cash register.
Since opening on Feb. 13, Fleet Feet has been embraced by the community, with support from the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and Yavapai Trails. As passionate marathon runners, Preston and his girlfriend, Day Cena, were drawn to Prescott for its scenic trails, friendly atmosphere and welcoming spirit.
“We’ve made a lot of friends because Prescott is so welcoming,” Cena said.
More Than A Shoe Store
Fleet Feet’s impact extends beyond retail. Preston and Cena plan to sponsor races and eventually host running seminars to educate the community on proper footwear and training techniques.
Preston said the pricing of brand-name footwear at Fleet Feet is the same as other stores, since vendors set the prices. However, what sets Fleet Feet apart is the high-tech fitting service, offered at no additional charge.
He says the best part of his job is the impact he has on people’s lives and being in Prescott around people and products that he loves. “People come in hopeless and come back saying they are no longer in pain and have improved their pace.”
With a growing demand for quality footwear and expert fitting, Fleet Feet expects to expand its staff beyond its current six employees. QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
For more information, call 928-247-6736.
Photo by Stan Bindell: Bill Preston, with Day Cena, says Fleet Feet’s 3D foot scan and pressure plate analysis ensure that customers find the ideal pair of shoes for their feet.
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