Serving Moorestown's Runners, One (Custom) Shoe At a Time

Runners will tell you that the sport has a way of getting into your system and becoming a vital force. For Bob Bickel, running was a high school and college sport that turned into a hobby and quickly became a passion. As an accomplished businessman raising a family in a town he loved, he decided to pay his good fortune forward by getting involved in his community through running.

“I've learned a lot of life lessons from running, and Moorestown has been just a great community for Marlise and me to raise our kids,” Bickel explains. “I started by volunteering to help coach the high school cross country and track teams. Then I helped organize the effort to build the high school cross country trail.”

But soon Bickel realized he wanted to do more.

“In the fall of 2006, I started to explore the idea of opening a running store on Main Street. I felt it would be a great way to encourage running in our community,” Bickel says. “I have also heard lots of people talk about how important Main Street is to them. I began to figure that I could actually do something positive and operate a real business in one of the empty, run-down store fronts.”

And so he partnered with Dave Welsh, who owns and operates established running stores in Haddonfield and Mullica Hill, to open . Located at 115 W. Main St., the store opened in June 2007.

“We combine our purchases and share inventory,” Bickel says. “This is a great benefit for our customers because it allows us to carry more than 60 styles of running and walking shoes. We strive to find the right pair for each of the many different types of runners or walkers in the community.”

But the store has become more than a place to buy a new pair of sneakers; it is a place to explore running in many different ways. The Moorestown Distance Running Club was formed out of the store. The club helps members find running partners. Runners meet at the store every Thursday night throughout the year at 6:30 p.m. to run together.

“There’s no need to sign up, just come by,” Bickel offers.

The store now offers a coaching service with custom plans designed for each runner depending on capabilities and goals.

“We have a new Running 101 course starting on May 3 to be held each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.,” Bickel says. “The course will culminate in a 5K race on July 4.”

And they just added an AlterG Treadmill.

“It is an amazing device that allows you to run at a lighter weight. It is great for people coming back from injuries or who need to take some of the stress off of running,” Bickel says.

Like every business on Main Street, the Moorestown Running Company competes against the big box stores and malls.

“To be honest, running a business on Main Street is difficult. Malls and strip centers have much higher foot traffic. The big box stores have the economics of scale going for them,” Bickel says.

“The key to our business is giving great service—fitting customers with just the right type of shoe for them,” Bickel notes. “We are fortunate to have a number of very loyal customers and a staff that knows and loves running. 

“Joe, Ralph and Ed have been with us pretty much from day one. Maureen has been with us for almost two years, and Colleen Hughes Tindale of Moorestown running fame just joined us,” Bickel says. “They are all great and really care about helping customers. Our customers leave the store knowing they have the best shoes for them and we are here to help them in any way we can.”

Bickel spends his afternoons as an assistant coach and mentor for both the MHS cross country and track teams.

“My high school and college coaches—particularly Art Gulden in college—had a major impact on my life,” he says. “From them and the sport, I learned the value of setting goals, working hardand being a part of a team. Kind of simple, but these values get pounded into you in a very deep way when you run cross country and track.

“And of course working with Lorenzo Eagles (MHS head coach) is simply one of the best parts of my day.”