LibbyBlack Toe Running has just opened its second location, a sibling spot uptown smack dab on Yonge Street, north of Eglinton. Plans for this space have been a long time coming, and with access to nearby Sherwood Park and the popular Beltline path, runners in north Toronto are in for a treat with this new shop.
Co-owner Mike Anderson partnered with designer Richard Kuchinsky, an avid runner, race kit and shoe designer and now storefront hero for this concept on Yonge. Using acrylic segments that colour change at the push of a button adds a vibrant feel. Set on yellow, they mimic the look of an open road. Change rooms were designed to feel and look like the inside of a shoebox. Once originally a vault, a permanent fixture that could not be moved, it’s fitting that it now provides a safe space for changing into gear.
Fortunately, construction on the old Tommy Bahama space was swift as the space was airy and bright to start with. Bleachers are coming too, a nod to their first space on Bathurst, by King Street which opened in 2013.
“You want a modern feel but still, make it feel comfortable,” offers Mike. A new art installation is also in the works to flank the main service counter.
THE SHOP THAT LIVES UP TO ITS NAME
The black toe of Black Toe Running is a nod to the common runner’s injury that happens when your big toe bumps the front of your shoe repetitively. Fit is key, so in-house metrics to capture and measure for footstrike are crucial. Staff at Black Toe Running are trained to help you find a perfect fit for your feet. With leading brands like Asics, Saucony, Hoka One One, Nike and Adidas, staff take their time to ensure you leave with shoes that pair your physical anatomy and level of training.
Kits, coats, singlets and more are also on display. Theraguns and other training partners dot the back of the shop.
YOU CAN FIND ME AT THE UPTOWN CLUB
Look for run clubs to launch shortly, starting Thursday nights in May, with more clubs coming this summer. “Tons of people are asking about it, but we want to do it right,” says Mike. The community spirit is in full effect. Expect to see plenty of Black Toe Running singlets and short-shorts on Yonge this summer.
All images by Libby Roach.
Black Toe Running Uptown is located at 2488 Yonge Street. Give them a follow @blacktoerunning