Patch Picks: 5 Places to Buy Athletic Shoes

Each Thursday, Patch highlights staff and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off and more.

You'll find useful lists to help you find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year's Eve celebrations, pizza to pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, burgers, parks and more.

Want to suggest a list? Submit your idea in the comment box. Agree or disagree with our picks? Be sure to let us know!

This week's list: 5 places to buy athletic shoes in Bradenton...

• , 3633 Cortez Rd W, won the Bradenton Herald’s People’s Choice Award two years in a row, in 2009 and 2010, which helped to cement its sterling reputation as the community’s best locally owned athletic shoe store. On a Shoestring is staffed by members of the community who are passionate about the sport of walking and running. Along with offering excellent customer service, the store goes above and beyond to support the community – mostly by supporting charity-based marathons such as the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, the Arthritis Foundation’s Arthritis Walk and Jingle Bell Run, and The American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure.
• , 8204 Tourist Center Dr, was the leader in national sales for New Balance in 2010. Owners David and Molly have several decades of combined experience in the shoe business and are very active in the community. New Balance helps sponsor runners in both local and national marathons and is also heavily involved in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. The store is staffed with 2 pedorthists and more than a dozen pro-fit specialists to guarantee that you get the perfect shoe for your athletic needs.
• , Desoto Square Mall, is located just outside of the food court. The store carries a wide variety of brands including Nike, Puma, Adidas and more. Whether you’re looking for running shoes of basketball high-tops, Finish Line has it all.
• , Desoto Square Mall, offers a variety of athletic footwear options including basketball, baseball, running, track and field, soccer and other options. Footwear is available for both men and women, as well as in children’s sizes. The retail outlet also sells professional sports jerseys, athletic socks, shoelaces, and shoe cleaner.
• , 4561 14th St W, is one of the largest retail outlets for athletic shoes, fan gear, and other athletic wear in the United States. With 550 stores nationwide, Champs is one of the most popular destinations for men’s and women’s athletic footwear.