Boulder Running Company Joins Running Specialty Group
The iconic running store chain has a new set of owners for the first time in its history.
The iconic running store chain has a new set of owners for the first time in its history.
Big news out of Boulder, Colorado: The Boulder Running Company, one of the top running specialty retail businesses in the United States, has been sold to the Denver-based Running Specialty Group, the companies announced today in a press release. Along with the acquisition of BRC’s three physical stories, the deal also included the company’s e-commerce site, boulderrunningcompany.com. The deal was reported to be worth $7.4 million.
The award-winning store chain has been a staple in the Colorado running community since 1996, when co-owners Johnny Halberstadt and Mark Plaatjes first opened their doors on Pearl Street in Boulder.
“Teaming up with the proven expertise and resources offered by the Running Specialty Group will enable us to continue growing and thriving while concentrating even more on providing passionate customer service,” Halberstadt said in the press release.
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In Motion Rehabilitation, a physical therapy facility owned and operated by Plaatjes that has offices in two of BRC’s locations, were not included as part of the deal but will still continue to work closely with the retail stores. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue working with our wonderful staff in the stores that I love,” Plaatjes added in the release.
Plaatjes will stay on at Boulder Running Company in a management position while Halberstadt will remain on staff through the transition, then move into a consulting role. [Update: Plaatjes resigned from the Boulder Running Company in June 2014.]
“We have great respect for the history and heritage of Boulder Running Company because we understand the heart, the energy, the risk, and the commitment it takes to build and maintain running stores of this caliber,” said Ken Gart, partner of Gart Capital Partners. “We have admired these stores and Halberstadt’s and Plaatjes’ philosophy for so many years that we are really honored to have it as part of the RSG group.”