John’s Run/Walk Shop Frequently Asked Questions

  • Since opening in 1978, we at JRWS have prided ourselves on excellent customer service and expertise in finding you the right shoes for your feet.

    Shoe stores with a “self-serve” mindset do a disservice to customers. Everyone has different foot shapes, different arch types, and different gaits. You deserve guidance from a knowledgeable sales associate who can help you find shoes that provide comfort and support for your unique feet.

    At John’s Run/Walk Shop, we take the time to ask you about any foot-related pain or discomfort you might be having, measure your feet, perform a gait analysis, and work with you to find the perfect pair of shoes.

  • We have two stores in Lexington, Kentucky: One in the Chevy Chase area on South Ashland Ave. and one in Palomar Centre. You can find directions, phone numbers, and hours on our Contact page.

    • Shoes may be returned or exchanged within two weeks from date of purchase.

    • They must be clean and in new and re-sellable condition. Therefore, we advise not wearing your shoes outdoors until you are fully confident you will keep them.

    • Shoes returned outside of the two-week window are not eligible for a refund.

  • Yes! You can support a local business from the comfort of your home. Find shoes and insoles in our online store.

  • You sure can! You can purchase a John’s Run/Walk Shop gift card in our stores and online at this page.

  • For years, we had a second storefront on S. Ashland Ave. in Lexington called John’s New Classic Shoes. That store sold Lifestyle shoes such as leather shoes, boots, and sandals.

    In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, we made the difficult decision to close that store. However, we were able to retain our staff and continue selling Lifestyle shoes alongside running shoes in both our other Chevy Chase store as well as our Palomar Centre store.

    John’s Run/Walk Shop still carries both Running and Lifestyle shoes, allowing customers a convenient way to shop for whatever type of footwear they need to move through life comfortably.

  • Yes! In addition to Running and Lifestyle shoes, we sell clothing such as socks, hats, and athleisure apparel from brands like Smartwool and Vuori.

    To help you with various foot/leg issues, we carry PowerStep and Currex insoles plus other helpful items such as compression socks or stabilizing products.

    Runners can also find gear such as nutrition, recovery, and safety products.

  • No. Just walk right in, and one of our Fit Experts will be happy to help you find the right shoes for your feet.

  • While we don’t sell shoes specifically for children, we carry shoes as small as a women's size 5 (about equivalent to a men's 3.5). These shoes can fit children, depending on their foot .

  • If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet, ankles, knees, hips, or back, it may indicate that you’re not in the right footwear. While we do recommend seeking medical guidance from a physical therapist or other doctor, we at John’s Run/Walk Shop can help you find shoes and insoles that relieve or prevent many issues.

    To learn more about finding the right shoe for your specific gait, read this article on pronation vs. supination.

  • While we don’t offer custom insoles, we do carry a variety of insoles from PowerStep and Currex. These insoles suit the needs of most customers and are a much less expensive option than custom orthotics.

    We recommend trying these over-the-counter options before buying custom orthotics, as our inserts have a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

  • We offer a 10% military discount. Just show your military ID at checkout.

    We also offer discounts to local middle, high school, and college track and cross country athletes. If you’re a coach, please contact us about setting up a Spike Night for your team.

  • John’s Run/Walk Shop is a great place to work, and we’re happy to take applications for part-time Fit Experts or other open positions.

    Learn more here.