Dick Pond Athletics Coming To Park Ridge

This summer Dick Pond Athletics will open its new Park Ridge shop located at 29 S. Prospect Ave. in the Uptown neighborhood. The store’s official Grand Opening event will coincide with the Taste of Park Ridge slated for July 12-14, a press release stated.

Dick Pond Athletics’ Park Ridge store will carry exclusive running shoes, fitness apparel, and accessories from major brands including Asics, Nike, Brooks, Saucony, and Vibram as well as new products from lifestyle brands, such as North Face and Keen. The store also will offer products for team athletes in track and field, cross country, and wrestling, a press release stated.

“We are a one-stop shop for the runner with a complete and varied selection of shoes, clothing, and accessories to help individuals enjoy a more comfortable and active lifestyle,” Dick Pond Athletics owner Lindy Pond stated.

Named one of America’s 50 Best Running Stores by Competitor in 2011, the family-run company continues the customer-centric mindset established by its owner, the late Dick Pond, in 1969.

Aided by video gait analysis, Dick Pond Athletics provides expert shoe fitting to ensure all guests can reach their fitness goals. The store also will be a resource for those with ailments such as plantar fasciitis or bunions, by offering a range of footwear and associated products, such as insoles and physical therapy tools, a press release stated.

“While our roots are certainly in team athletes, runners, and walkers, we bring knowledge to the table that allows us to help anyone with footwear needs find a solution,” Dick Pond Athletics store manager Joko Greenberg stated.

The Park Ridge store will host Dick Pond Athletics’ customer incentive programs. The Runner Rewards program allows customers to earn discounts on future purchases, while the inventive Team Bucks program reinvests 5 percent of all team purchases from middle school or high school athletes back into the athletes’ school program.

“We want to make sure we’re building relationships that last and investing in those who invest in us,” Pond stated.

Regular fun runs and the company’s “Walk-to-Run” program will establish Dick Pond Athletics as a local fitness advocate.

“From sponsoring local races to our in-store programs, we want to be the local resource for fun, engaging programs that connect people to one another and individual well being,” Greenberg stated.

The Park Ridge store will be Dick Pond Athletics’ sixth location, joining existing outlets in Carol Stream, Lisle, Schaumburg, St. Charles, and Carpentersville. The Carol Stream-based company also hosts a thriving web store found at www.dickpondathletics.com as well as a two traveling “shoemobiles” that make regular visits to high schools, colleges, and local events.

Information submitted by Dick Pond Athletics.