Annapolis Running Shop

Came here out of impulse. I already had bought some running shoes like 20 days previous but they were super thin and after 6 miles they start to hurt my feet. I am a Brooks Lover but my previous Brooks were torn apart. (Sad Face)
So we walked in, just looking around, my Fiancé pointed at a really cute pair of Brooks for $ 78.00. I tried them on and, of course, fell in love. Bought them without a question. The lady who helped us out was nice and gave me a few pointers on running. I’m glad we found this cute little place. I am so excited about my brand new running shoes. Cannot wait to break them in.

I’ve been in a few times and customer service isn’t the best. Could use some work. A few times the employees have no idea about the products when I asked for suggestions on new running shoes and what issues I was having with current pairs. The one knowledgable employee I did seem to encounter seemed more interested in chatting with their friends than helping. But once I did get her to help, she was very knowledgable. They do carry products I like though.

Was looking for a gift, not a pair of running shoes, but a passerby would have thought that I was buying 3 pairs given how helpful Paula was today. I was looking for a specific T-​shirt for a friend of mine who isn’t American, and was unsure that «Run Your ARS Off» would translate easily. Needed an XS of the gray Maryland «Run» t-​shirt, and although it was out of stock, Paula texted Jenny, the owner, and took my information for when it’s ready. She knew a lot about the other items in the store, too, and was super pleasant and great to talk to. I regret that I’m leaving the area soon.

New owners THANK GOD. Loved the store and the line. Love the staff. The NEW OWNERS have done a great job. Friendly and warm. If you had a bad experience in the past give the new owner a try. I did and I love ARS now. Good Luck running your ARS off!!! I will be back.

WHATEVER YOUR EXPERIENCE WAS AT ARS LAST TIME, GO BACK!!! New ownership and they are awesome!!!
Like you, I went into ARS a few years ago and the owner was a complete jerk. I promised myself I would never go back but found myself in need of some shoes and decided to give it another shot. Well, thank goodness I did because I found a new awesome running store. Downtown Annapolis has needed a great running store for years and we finally have one!
I bought the same pair of Kinvara shoes that I have been wearing for years but when I went out on a run, I was swimming in them. Not sure if they changed the sizing or if I just made a mistake, but nevertheless… I called ARS and Paula told me to send in the shoes and they would take care of it. Just heard from them and they are sending me a new pair that are the correct size. No hassle, no issues… just like every great running store.
ARS is back in action! I highly recommend everyone go there for their next pair of running shoes. Great people, great service… people on staff who love to run and help others run their best!

I was unhappy with the customer service. The man was unresponsive, very rude and uninformative. The store also has a very limited selection of shoes. They only shoes they carry were a few mizunos, asics, and nikes here are there.
Mostly, I’m disappointed with the poor customer service I received.

I love that this shop is for runners, by local runners. Jon, Megan and Trish understand running, they understand injuries, and how to fit you for shoes to prevent them. Megan took me from couch to half marathon in six months. I was the only person Jon fit for my shoes in the group of friends I ran with and the only one of these people to complete the Baltimore half with out a blister. I’m currently on my 5^th pair of the Nike Vomeros! ARS has really cute apparel too! No matter what your level is, the group runs on Wednesday nights at 7 are awesome. Ive never met a bunch of nicer people. Extended Happy Hour at Rams Head ain’t bad either.

There’s something wonderful about walking into a store and being cared for, not only by an owner, but an owner who lives by the sport and stands by the products he offers. Both my husband and I, on two separate occasions, were fitted for our new running shoes. My husband is the first to say he’s not a runner by nature or build. I’m the first to say «I walk with some running thrown in!»
Jon evaluated my husband’s stride and my walk. Jon was only the second person in my 40 years to take note of my flat feet and the first to notice I over pronate and need the extra support.
Jon brought out several shoes of varying prices. He started with the less expensive shoe and moved on up. Each time stating the price but not pushing the sale. He encouraged us to select a shoe based on the fit and feel. When I selected a shoe of lesser price than another, he never batted an eye. He never tried to «up sell.» How refreshing! To note, I forgot socks and selected a pair to buy before trying on shoes. He offered demo socks to use instead of purchasing them. Again, he could have gone for the sale over service!
Now, if you want to be catered, pampered, and all the bells and whistles of large chain marketing, then you may not appreciate ARS’s straight– up simplicity and quality. Jon is a quiet guy with a loud passion for running and making sure customers get what they came for. ARS isn’t going to kiss your ARS. They are going to get you out there to run your ARS off!

I’ve never found anything at this shop and maybe it’s because I can’t get passed the cluttered older style floor layout? It just doesn’t jump out at me and grab my attention but that doesn’t mean they don’t have great shoes. Maybe it’s just because I’m usually in DTA to eat or drink so running shoes are the last thing on my mind.

I was looking for a specialized running store that would help me find the right pair of shoes. I’m pretty new to long distance running and was hoping that I would find the experience at ARS. However, I had a similar experience as Jessica F. I entered the store and was not greeted at all. I didn’t even think there was anyone in the store. Come to find out there was a person intently staring at the computer. After a few minutes of browsing their shoes, I approached the counter, began talking about my running experience/​level, and what I was looking for in a shoe. He then told me, «I can give you an evaluation but you will have to buy a pair of shoes. It’s a service we provide free with your purchase.» I said I’m not sure if I need shoes just yet but I wanted to know if the tread wear pattern on my shoes was normal. He then repeated what he said earlier, «I can give you an evaluation but you will have to buy a pair of shoes. It’s a service we provide free with your purchase.» I couldn’t believe the attitude I was getting from this person. I thought he could better evaluate my feet if he saw my old shoes rather than have me run 25 feet in their small store. It was as if he didn’t even want to talk to me unless I committed to a purchase. I’ll need a new pair of shoes soon but I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

Purcahsed my last pair of running shoes from ARS and had a wonderful experience. The owner was the person who helped me purchase the correct pair of shoes for my running print/​style. Very knowledgable and super friendly. I’d much rather purchase shoes from a small, professional and well run shop than from some random teenager working at Dick’s Sporting Goods or Sports Authority.

Went to ARS last night for the first time and had a great experience. The woman there (I didn’t catch her name) was very friendly and very helpful. She had me walk and run around the store a bit (barefoot) and the brought out several (4) pair of shoes for me to try. I ended up trying about ⁶⁄₇ total and bought one that feel great!
We also chatted about my new foray into running and she was very helpful with suggestions and advice for taking care of my feet and enjoying my runs.
I would reccomend ARS without hesitation and will be back whenever the need arises.

There is simply no better place to be fit for shoes in downtown Annapolis. Jon and his staff are all skilled runners that actually run in the products they sell. If you are serious about getting a well fitting shoe that fits your needs this is the pace to go. They will recommend what is best for you; no more and no less.

There is a running store in Austin, TX called RunTex. While the owner is super nice, his staff tends to make you feel like a grade A idiot and that you are wasting their time by walking in the stores.
Seems I found a similiar experience here. I went in there hoping to get a question answered about training groups in the area and was treated with absolute rudeness. The guy behind the counter seemed much more interested in his computer screen than anything I had to say and it just put me off completely.
I was so excited to see a cool running store but if this is the attitude that their employees have I doubt I will be back.

I went to ARS initially to buy my first pair of running shoes in November of ’08. Then, I joined their running group on Wednesdays and Saturdays and got to know Jon Line and Gordie pretty well. I’ve bought 5 pairs of shoes there since then! I continue to shop there for all my greater running needs even though I’ve moved to Washington DC.
Jon is great at getting you in the right shoes for running and he’s a fantastic local vendor for Main Street Annapolis.