Run, don’t walk, to Morgantown’s newest shoe store.
Alex Minor hasn’t found anything to complain about since he opened his new shoe store, Country Roads Running and Walking, in Suncrest Towne Centre last November, but he’s found lots of reasons to celebrate—for one thing, how quickly the community has welcomed the store with open arms.
Minor isn’t new to Morgantown. He’s originally from here, but moved to Huntington in 2016, where he worked at a running store. Every morning, he woke up excited to head to work and help people find the shoe that’s right for them. So he thought, why not bring that energy back to Morgantown? After all, the running community is ever growing. Between the Mon River Rail-Trail System, Coopers Rock State Forest, and the West Virginia Botanic Garden, there are endless opportunities to get outside and reach your step goal.
Since opening, Minor has met all kinds of people in need of a good pair of shoes, and not just runners and hikers. Hospital workers or servers, for example. Or people who have gait-related health conditions, children with developing feet, and seniors in need of more support.
“They are considered running or walking shoes, but I call them ‘moving forward shoes.’ They’re good for just about anything in that respect,” says Minor. “They’re going to have a better cushion and better support. Even if you’re not going to be running in them, but you’re going to be working in them, it will still make a big, big difference.”
Here’s how it works when you visit Country Roads Running and Walking:
- Talk about your feet, what you’ll be doing in the shoes, any history of discomfort or injuries, and more.
- Walk or run around the store—don’t worry, they won’t kick you out. They’re analyzing your gait.
- Sit back down and let them measure your feet.
- Try on some shoes—this is the fun part. They’ll bring you some shoes that fit your lifestyle, feet, and stride, and together, you’ll find the right pair.
As his business grows, Minor hopes to have fun and make connections with the community. You can help him accomplish this goal by getting rid of those shoes sitting in your closet that don’t quite fit right. He’s partnered with Christian Help on a shoe drive—simply donate shoes at Country Roads Running and Walking anytime they’re open, and Christian Help will distribute them to community members in need.
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