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Two River Treads Announces Grand Opening in Shepherdstown

Author: ITP News Desk | Published: 05/26/2010 | 800 Views | Short URL: http://www.inthepanhandle.com/local/n/7171

Shepherdstown, WV -  A specialty running and walking shoe store encouraging people to go barefoot? You must be kidding, right? Actually the new Two River Tread Center for Natural Running and Walking is doing just that…almost. The store, which is opening in Shepherdstown on May 22, will fit children and adults with running and walking shoes that complement their natural barefoot movement.

According to Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, founder and owner of Two Rivers Treads, “The human foot is the most amazing technology that will ever be invented for proper walking and running. So the shoes we carry let the foot behave like a foot and,” he adds, “regain much of the strength and function that is lost to improper footwear.”

Brands will include natural running leaders Newton, Terra Plana, Inov-8, and Vibram; familiar names such as Saucony, New Balance, and Brooks; and soft and functional children’s shoes from SeeKaiRun and Eleven Collection. And, in support of their emphasis on outdoor living, Two River Treads will also feature Kickbikes in mid-June. This innovate adult kick scooter from Finland was recently highlighted in Time magazine and can help with running mechanics, allows cross training in town and on the trails, and is fun.

Cucuzzella, who is also a practicing physician and race director of Freedom’s Run (http://www.freedomsrun.org), adds that the store will offer something more: the opportunity for customers to learn about everything from fitness to outdoor discovery to heritage tourism. Customers can select from a range of books, DVDs and audio cassettes and talk with expert staff, among them ultra marathoners and community running leaders Tom Shantz and James Munnis. And, the staff at Two River Treads will help customers make and meet goals to get outside, get moving more, stay pain free, and maybe even train for an event.

“We see Two River Treads as a center for people who love to run…and walk, hike, and generally enjoy the outdoors,” says Cucuzzella. He adds that outdoor activity is more than an adventure: it’s a path to a healthy and happy lifestyle.  Two Rivers Treads will donate 5% of all gross sales to community causes and for the first month offer 10% off all shoes if customers recycle an old pair for One World Running. 

The store will be the headquarters for Freedom’s Run, the Race for the Birds, and the newly formed Two Rivers Heritage Alliance. The store received a small business loan through the Progress Fund, a partner with Trail Towns- a movement to bring sustainable tourism to towns along the C&O Canal and Great Alleghany Passage. They’re located above the Shepherdstown Pedal and Paddle at 113 W. German Street. Phone 304-876-1100. Store hours are 10-6 every day except Tuesday.