Runner s Den

WHEN ROB WALLACK moved from the Midwest to Phoenix and opened the Runner’s Den in 1978, he had no business plan, a sliver of retail experience and hopes of selling 10 shoes a day (at an average price of $29.95) to keep the doors open.

“I was really naïve about the whole process,” Wallack admits.

Fast forward to 2023 and Wallack is still slinging shoes at the Runner’s Den, a Best Running Stores in America honoree. Now, Wallack says, it’s others’ turn to lead the operation, namely his son, Nate, and longtime Runner’s Den manager, Ron French.

“I’ll be leaving it to them to keep the lights on and the public well served,” Wallack says.