Sporty Runner is reopening this fall at its longtime downtown Conway location under new ownership.

Nick and Jessica May, who also own Plato’s Closet in Conway, first noticed the store on regular trips to downtown.

“I always thought it was a cool store with the logo and everything, and then I saw the space was for sale last year,” Nick May recalled. “I reached out to the realtor and asked if the owners would be interested in selling the name and assets along with it.”

Not long after, the Mays purchased the building and the business from previous owners Linda and Don Starr, and work began on the reopening.

“I have found since we’ve been working on the reopening that the Starrs built up so much goodwill in the community,” May said. “It added to the value of what we already gained by purchasing the business.”

The Mays also own fitness centers in Russellville and Camden, making Sporty Runner a natural fit, blending retail, apparel and fitness.

May said they are shooting to open the store before the City of Colleges Marathon, scheduled for Oct. 24, but no official opening date has been set.

Customers can expect many of the same running shoes and equipment as before, May said, but the store will lean more heavily into apparel. 

Sporty Runner patrons can expect to see brands such as Brooks, Hoka, HYROX and R.A.D., along with a variety of sunglasses including Blenders and Goodr, May said, and branded Sporty Runner apparel.

The Mays also plan to expand the nutrition side of the store, offering a mix of supplements geared toward both endurance athletes and general fitness customers.

May said he also wants Sporty Runner to be more than a retail stop. He wants it to serve as a hub for the local running community. In the lead-up to the reopening, the Mays have held group runs and plan to host more in the future.

“That is one of the main things we are going to try and emphasize,” May said. “Doing more within the store, doing more with retail offerings, but doing more within the community like group runs, pop-ups at fitness centers like Empire. We want to be involved.”

The Mays, who moved to Conway three years ago from Camden, are excited to add a new business to their portfolio and become ingrained in the community.

“We plan on being here for a long time,” May said. “This is a way for us to get our foot in the door and be a part of the community.”