Bend’s Fleet Feet store will close

Fleet Feet Sports is closing its Bend store, according to people familiar with the business.

A sign outside the shop on Galveston Avenue says it’s conducting a “going out of business” sale. A manager of the store did not respond to The Bulletin’s inquiry, nor did a representative of the company, which is based in Carrboro, North Carolina.

Rod Bien, who owns the building at 1320 NW Galveston, said he plans to put the building up for sale as a result of the store’s closing. “Since they are leaving, the timing just feels right,” Bien said in an email. “We’ve liked having long-term tenants but don’t really want to be landlords as part of our long-term goals.”

Fleet Feet is the main sponsor of the Deschutes Dash, a triathlon event scheduled for July 15. That event will go forward but with a different sponsor, said Scott White, who owns and manages the event. White also managed the Bend Fleet Feet store but said he left last month.

Also last month, Fleet Feet CEO Jeff Phillips stepped down, according to published reports. White said the company began looking to close less profitable stores. White said Fleet Feet has struggled with a lack of parking on Galveston Avenue and faced a formidable competitor in FootZone, a downtown running shop.

— Bulletin staff report