New Balance shoes are good for the sole

By Beth Newcomb

Runners take your marks. Now, go…to the recently opened New Balance store in Shaker Heights. 

John Luck, fourth-generation owner of Northeast Ohio's Lucky Shoes and the New Balance stores dotting the area, pulled up stakes and moved his premier running store from Beachwood to the reinvigorated downtown area of Shaker Heights.

“This area is very supportive of locally owned businesses and we're excited to be a part of the community,” John says. 

John's great-grandfather started Lucky Shoes in the Firestone Park area of Akron. Today, John leads the charge to bring better footwear to the soles of Northeast Ohioans. That's happening right now, at the freshly minted New Balance store in Shaker.

Your visit starts with a few minutes spent on the in-store pedigraph.

“Essentially, it's a machine that maps the pressure points on the bottoms of your feet,” John explains. “An image prints out showing us a roadmap to your comfort, then we select the right shoes to match your needs.”

It makes determining whether you need more arch support, more cushioning or more heel support a whole lot easier. It's also free, and New Balance is the only store in the area to offer the technology. John shrugs at the revolutionary offering.

“It's the right way to sell a shoe,” he says. 

Store manager Sara Blessinger and her team are certified fit specialists, so they'll talk to you about your athletic needs along with providing the free foot scan.

“If you're training for a marathon, we'll guide you toward the shoe that will help you run faster. If you're trying to get into better shape, we'll guide you toward the shoe that will take you to the next level,” she says.

New Balance carries all things athletic, including fitness clothing and accessories designed to improve your performance whether you're training indoors or out. And the store isn't just for runners, although this group is a focus.

“We have cross trainers and walkers as well,” John shares. 

The store also carries a nice variety of New Balance shoes for kids. And because John and his team are all about helping you find the perfect fit, all styles come in a variety of widths with the greatest size range available anywhere. 

Get Your Kicks
NBRx Foot Health Solutions shoes include a number of advanced features to help runners put in the miles.

“These shoes focus on keeping you at your best,” John explains. 

“The keys to the fit are the customized insoles. They address everything from pressure relief to improved alignment, stability and targeted cushioning. We put the right insole and shoe together for you based on your doctor's recommendations. This is where our fit specialists really shine.”

Fresh Foam shoes by New Balance takes the concept of comfort to a new level.

“Rather than a layer of cushioning slipped beneath the insole, New Balance takes the comfort shoe to a new level by creating an entire midsole made of foam,” John explains. “They feel amazing and they're unbelievably soft.”

Vazee by New Balance is the shoe for serious runners who are really good and like to run really fast.

“These lightweight running shoes are designed for speed,” John smiles. “Vazee comes in a variety of styles, from Breathable and Dynamic to Supportive and Training.”

In the store right now, you'll find about a hundred different New Balance styles in a wide spectrum of colors. Widths are available from very narrow to extra wide.  

New Balance is located at 20140 Van Aken Blvd., in Shaker Heights. The phone number is 216-464-3477. For store hours and other information, visit LuckyShoes.com or find them on Facebook at Lucky Shoe Store.