There’s a new destination for running, hiking, and casual footwear in West County.
Big River Running Company marked its 11th year in St. Louis with a big expansion, moving their West County store to Town & Country (13969 Manchester, 636-394-5500). Opened in August, the new store is Big River’s first standalone facility outside of strip malls; it occupies an old bank. “We’re really excited about making more of a presence in the city,” says Big River Running Company staff member Maggie Buchmiller.
With the new building comes a new logo (for all three stores), its own parking lot, and additional space: “Customers just have time to relax in the area and browse a bit more. I think that was a much need at the other location, where we were a little bit smaller.” Buchmiller says the new building is “three to four times larger” than the old.
It’ll also become a platform for a new business model: becoming a “one stop shop” for lifestyle wear.
“We are known for our running shoes specifically,” says Buchmiller. Big River still carries running shoes, hosts running events, and offers its signature fit center, where customers can get customized shoe fit analyses. But at the new store, “we have a bit more of a casual shoe line that we’re bringing in, and a little more casual apparel as well.”
They plan to see what customers like and take a “trial-and-error” approach to stocking the store. “This is our test trial, seeing what shoes you really want here,” then move popular products to the South St. Louis and University City locations.
For now, they’ll be stocking Sperry, Olukai, UGG, Merrell, and KEEN Footwear, as well as several others.
“We want people to think of us outside just a running shoe and running shoe store,” adds Buchmiller.
Big River Running Company Town & Country is located at 13969 Manchester. Hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.
