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Potomac River Running Announces Acquisition of Metro Run & Walk Locations in Tysons (Falls Church) and Rockville
By Cathy Pugsley
Ashburn, VA
June 17, 2009
On June 15, Potomac River Running (=PR=) officially acquired the Metro Run & Walk (MRW) stores located in Tysons (7516 Leesburg Pike) and Rockville (1776 E Jefferson Street). The addition of these two locations gives Potomac River Running a presence throughout the metro area, with Virginia locations in Arlington (Ballston), Ashburn, Burke, Reston, and the new Tysons location; a DC location in Cleveland Park; and the new Rockville location in Maryland.
Potomac River Running, family-owned by Ray and Cathy Pugsley and Brendan and Margie Shapiro, will continue to work together with Lea Gallardo, long-time owner of the Metro Run & Walk business, and a pioneer in the running specialty business in the DC area. Gallardo will stay on as a consultant and many of the staff at the former Metro Run & Walk locations will remain. "We are excited about this opportunity to expand our geographic presence and reach, and look forward to serving these new areas," said Brendan Shapiro, who got his start in the running business 18 years ago, working for Gallardo.
In the coming days and weeks, the former Metro Run & Walk stores will begin offering the same video gait analysis provided to all Potomac River Running customers as part of the shoe fitting process. In addition, these stores will stock some great new products, including triathlon apparel and accessories. "While the change is technically an acquisition, we view it more as a merger," commented Ray Pugsley. "The running specialty business is all about people and relationships, and we hope to continue the great relationships that Lea and her staff have built throughout the years. At the same time, we'll add some products and change some processes in an effort to make the customer experience even better."
Potomac River Running will also begin hosting clinics and other events at the new locations. A new Web site will launch in the coming weeks with details, and grand "reopening" events will be held later in the summer. "We hope this new venture will help us better serve the running, walking, and triathlon communities in the DC area," said Pugsley. We have never viewed ourselves as selling a product. Rather, we have the fortune to share our passion for the sport and build relationships in the communities we serve.
For more information on Potomac River Running stores and activities, visit the Web site.
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