The basics:

• Fleet Feet opens 8th NJ store in Somerville
• Offers 3D foot scanning, custom insoles, top athletic brands
• Store marks 5th for franchisee Teresa Councilor
• Grand opening will include ASICS giveaways, live shirt pressing & more

Fleet Feet is sprinting into Somerset County.

Scheduled to open Aug. 4 at 76 W. Main St. in Somerville, the store is the specialty running retailer’s eighth location in New Jersey.

Founded in 1976, Fleet Feet sells specialized running shoes, apparel and accessories. As part of its mission to provide runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts with high-performance gear, the North Carolina-headquartered chain offers tech-powered personalized fittings and hosts community events as well as training programs.

With more than 280 stores across 40 states, Fleet Feet is considered the largest franchisor of locally owned and operated specialty running stores. The chain also has New Jersey locations in Hoboken, Montclair, Morristown, Princeton, Ridgewood, Summit and Westfield.

Finding its stride

The Somerville location marks the fifth Fleet Feet for franchisee Teresa Councilor. As the operating partner of Westfield, Summit, Morristown and Ridgewood, she has brought 10% year-over-year sales growth to the region. Additionally, Councilor has seen consistently high engagement in community training events, the company said.

Councilor shared, “Somerville has a thriving running community that we’re excited to support and grow. Fleet Feet is about more than selling shoes. It’s about showing up for the people who show up for themselves. We want to be a place where movement is celebrated, goals are supported, and everyone feels like part of the family.”

The new store will carry a selection of footwear from brands such as Altra, ASICS, Brooks, Hylo, HOKA, New Balance, Oofos, ON and Saucony; and apparel from Adidas, Lululemon, Nike and Vuori.

As with all Fleet Feet locations, Somerville customers can get outfitted using the brand’s signature fit experience. The process incorporates 3D foot scanning, dynamic pressure mapping and ME3D custom insoles to deliver personalized fit solutions.

Community events and partnerships

Although official training programs will launch later this year, the store is already planning community events and exploring ways to partner with nonprofits that promote movement and wellness, according to Fleet Feet.

At Councilor’s other stores in New Jersey, the team takes on active involvement with groups such as Girls on the Run North and East, Market Street Mission, Greta’s Run and Achilles International New Jersey Chapter.

Commenting on the opening, Fleet Feet Chief Operating Officer Jason Jabaut said, “Teresa’s passion for running and community is contagious. She leads with heart and creates spaces where people feel welcome and supported. Fleet Feet Northern New Jersey was recognized as one of the top running stores in the nation in 2024, and we’re excited to see her bring that same energy to Somerville.”

A grand opening celebration will take place in early September. ASICS will support the event, which will includes giveaways to the first 100 shoppers who spend $150 or more, food, drinks and live heat-pressing of shirts, according to Fleet Feet.