Shoes With Service and a Smile Key to Run Inn's Success

Special to Emmaus Patch By Chrissy Cilento, Emmaus High School Senior

Emmaus Run Inn
322 Main St.
610-966-9939
www.finishlinerunningstore.com
Like “Emmaus Run Inn” on Facebook 
Owner: Chris Schmidt 
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What inspired you to start this business?
Well, I didn’t start this business. It started in 1981 as the Finish Line Running Store in Allentown. The original owner was Jim Stewart. I started working for him in 1988 and purchased the business in 1997. We moved to Emmaus in 2007, and just in March we moved up the street to here so we could expand the business and do more things.  

What do you sell? 
We fit people with shoes that are right for their foot. We’re not reinventing the wheel -- companies make the shoes for specific foot types, and we just match those feet to those shoes and give advice. We also sell other sports apparel and clothing. Really, we offer a product you could get anywhere else, but we’re explaining it and helping you along the way.  

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Why was this business located in Emmaus? 
We decided to move to Emmaus because Allentown wasn’t really headed in the right direction. People were starting to feel uncomfortable with coming, and I was starting to feel uncomfortable too. Most of our customers were from this area and with Rodale and Runners' World, it just made sense to come out here. 

Where do you hope to see this business in the future? 
Just continuing to grow. Keep striving to do more and do better. There’s no ceiling. We do hope to add a few more stores -- we don’t have anything specific right now, but we’re just keeping an eye open. 

What makes this business different from the competition? 
Our service, without a doubt. We pride ourselves on our service and taking care of people, treating people the way they should be taken care of. It’s just lost in today’s world. Whatever you’re buying, people don’t like to give service. I want people to feel like they’ve made a friend when they come here. 

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. I learned that when I was 16. I worked for Hushpuppy Shoes and this old guy came in late on a Friday night. He smelled, had overalls on and had big holes in his pocket. My boss told me at the time not to wait on him because he wasn’t going to buy anything, but I figured whatever, we’re not busy. So I went up and talked to him, and he said “Oh let me try those shoes on” and my boss is giggling like “here we go.” Well, he ended up buying six or seven pairs of shoes -- his total was $400 or something. He pulled out the biggest wad of money I’ve ever seen in my life in this money clip that had a diamond the size of a half dollar on it. And then he said “You know, I have a lot of money. I like to do this every once in a while just because I can. My wife thinks I’m a jerk for doing this, but I just like to test the character of people. I’ve been in this mall for three hours and you were the only person that’s talked to me.” So, never judge a book by its cover -- you never know. 

What business advice would you give to someone else?
I would tell them to make sure you have your finances in order, do a business plan and make sure you have everything figured out. If you’re married, be sure the husband or wife is on board. Be ready to work hard, and don’t be afraid to work hard. Be ready to make some sacrifices because nothing comes easy. 

What do you do in your free time?
I have three children, so I don’t have a lot of free time. I play golf, I exercise a little and spend time with family.

Chrissy Cilento, a senior at Emmaus High School, plans to study journalism in college. She is a periodic contributor to Patch.