Raleigh, N.C. — A trio of locally owned running stores across the Triangle were recently purchased by a major corporation, but that change is not apparent to customers, and small business advocates worry that shoppers will be confused.

"It can be a little deceiving to the consumer when you think you are supporting a local, independent business and you are really supporting a national chain," said Jennifer Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh.

Martin said she was one of those confused when she made a purchase from Raleigh Running Outfitters on Six Forks Road.

Both that store and a Cary location owned by the same couple were sold in January to the Running Specialty Group - a division of Finish Line. The same company bought Capital Run Walk in Cameron Village and more than 70 other independently-owned running stores across the nation.

Runologie, in downtown Raleigh, is currently the only local and independently owned running shop in the city, Martin said.

Clayton Roberts said he frequents Raleigh Running Outfitters. "I like the store because it is convenient and local," he said.

The sale, Roberts said, is “not surprising, but it is a little shocking."

Knowing the store has changed hands may change his habits. "I think it is actually important to help the local community and the local business that are local," Roberts said.

The business names, web sites and employees did not change after the buyout. On the Raleigh Running Outfitters website, the "about us section" shows a photo of the previous owner and tells the story of how the business was started.

A spokesperson for Finish Line told WRAL News that the company plans to rebrand the stores they have acquired across the country and rename them to JackRabbit.

The rollout will start in New York City and the stores will continue to support local events, the spokesperson said.

Now I don't know all the ins and outs of operating an LRS or how profitable they are, but based on how freakin' packed mine is every time I go in there, plus the fact that the shop has expanded twice in the last few years, I am guessing the place is a gold mine for the owner.   It'd probably take a huge offer to pry the shop from the owner's hands.

My LRS sponsors our running club.  They provide pacers to local races, and generous discounts to the local high school track teams. Although while neither the prices, the selection,  or the hours of operation are all that great, the place is mobbed every weekend.

I'm pretty sure that my LRS is still independent.  There are a ton of "sports" type chain stores in the area, but the LRS is the only actual running store.  I try to buy from them instead of online whenever I can, especially for stuff I'd be paying full price for anyway.  Just got my Garmin there this week, for example.    Plus I get a 15% discount on shoes for being a member of the local running club (we meet outside the store for group runs even).

We had a LRS that went bankrupt about a year ago.  They were too small to have much selection and service wasn't great.  So I would drive to  another LRS in a town about an hour away when I needed new shoes.  They were always very helpful. That store opened a branch here about a month ago.  So far, I've really liked what I've seen.  Nice people, very helpful, very eager to be involved in our local running community.  I will definitely give them my business because I want them to thrive.  The alternative is Dicks, Dunham or Cabelas - none of which carry anything I'm interested in.  I have hard to fit feet and my size rarely goes on sale online.

My LRS is independently owned.  Frankly, I only go there when I have a gift certificate, because I don't need fitting or shoe suggestions and they are much more expensive than the 'House.

There are many LRS around here, some independantly owned, others part of a national chain. I usually shop online, because of the prices. But when i go to the LRS, I want advice, I want to try stuff on... so quality of service is ranked on top of my list. All the people who work there are local anyways. So to me, it's all about the employees they hire.

One of the longest existing LRSs in my area just closed after 25 years in business.  I'm not sure how well they were doing but there are at least 4 others near enough for me to shop at. I stopped frequenting that one because they had a lot of HS employees that weren't that knowledgeable.  I had to wait for one of the owners to be available if I was changing brands or models and not just getting another pair of what I run in. Not so at the store where I shop most often now. All the employees are long time runners and most have been working there for years.