Austin, Tx. sports shoe store running ahead of the pack with customers

Posted 7:43AM on Sunday 28th April 2002 ( 23 years ago )

AUSTIN, Texas - The used pair of running shoes with worn soles addressed to the RunTex running store came with a handwritten note from its owner. Gold stitching across the shoes' lip spelled "President G.W. Bush." The message to store co-owner Paul Carrozza read: "Enclosed please find my running shoes, which carried me through a dramatic and eventful year," Bush wrote. "I ran a fair amount of miles in 2001. I ran my best time of the year: 20:15. Not bad for 55-year-old legs." The president was referring to his time in a five-kilometer run, said Carrozza, who supplies Bush with his size 11½ Mizunos every four or five months. When he lived in Austin as Texas' governor, Bush would spend more than an hour at the store some Saturdays, Carrozza said. The note also included the suggestion that the shoes be auctioned to raise money for Carrozza's favorite charity. Carrozza, 39, is used to the high-profile attention as operator of a chain of five running stores considered among the country's best. When he's not shipping sneakers to his friend at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., he's shoeing the likes of Gov. Rick Perry, Willie Nelson, and Dell Computer's Michael and Susan Dell, along with thousands of Central Texas runners. His knowledge of running shoe design has propelled him to the post of footwear editor for Runner's World magazine. "He's just a great entrepreneur. He's a classic example of a guy finding a niche and exploiting it in a positive way," said Perry. Carrozza serves on the newly created Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness. Employees of Carrozza and his wife Sheila, a former world class runner, are trained to scrutinize customers' feet and old shoes. Customers are encouraged to dash through the store so employees can study their running style. "I had an inherent business reason to fit people well because I wanted less returns," Carrozza said. "I wanted to make sure people could run without being injured so they run more." The stores' employees also serve as coaches for RunTex University, informal teams of runners who train for races ranging from the 5K to marathons. Triathlon training and running programs for children also are offered. A California native, Carrozza studied biochemistry at Abilene Christian College, where he was an All-American runner. After graduating in 1985, he settled in Austin, home to a large community of runners. He first opened the Barton Creek Country Club Sports and Fitness Center and Spa, operating it until 1991. In 1988, Carrozza bought RunTex, a then 4-year-old running store that had revenues of about $60,000. Last year, revenues were about $6 million. "If I can focus on helping people in their fitness and running then the last thing we have to worry about is enough money because we're helping people become fit and they become consumers of our product," Carrozza said. The store has woven itself into the city's fabric. Customers who bring in their old shoes receive $10 off a new pair, and RunTex donates 2,000 to 3,000 used pairs to the homeless. RunTex also sponsors dozens of races in Austin, including the Motorola Marathon. Jack Caldwell, a longtime customer, said the couple inspire the city's running community. "He gives so much away," said the 75-year-old Caldwell. "He supports everything that comes around." ------ On the Net: RunTex: http://www.runtex.com

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/4/195394