An Uptown running store that survived the pandemic and being boarded up is now giving back

Operating a small, community-oriented business in Uptown, Manny Minter thought he’d seen it all.

His store, Fit 1st Running, was coming up on its fifth year in business; a familiar fixture along Hennepin Avenue.

"We have a really loyal following," Minter said. "A lot of our customers, I know them on a first-name basis. I know their shoe size when they open the door."

But in a year unlike any other, this was a time of change, challenge and tragedy.

The pandemic forced Minter to lock his store doors between March 18 and May 18.

Then came the riots and protests following the death of George Floyd.

"There was a little bit of, you know, anger in the sense of, it’s 2020 and this is still happening to people who look like me," Minter said quietly.

For two weeks, plywood art covered the store windows.

His business fell 75%. But Minter was determined to keep the store going.

"We got hit pretty hard in the beginning with the COVID for the first two months," he recalled. "We didn’t have any little business, small business… and then a lot of things happening in the city, such as activism, and then the rioting, which was completely separate from the activism."

But Minter said he’s on a rebound.

On weekdays, he has about 15 in-store customer visits, plus three to four orders online.

Minter said weekends are better with up to 30 in-store customers and a like number online.

Taking out an iPad, he showed how the internet and mobile technology are helping him recover.

"We’ll have them record themselves on the cellphone while they’re walking," he explained. "People were kind of reaching out to me and purchasing and getting shoe orders in."

The technology allows Minter to diagram a customer’s stride and foot strike.

He can recommend a shoe based on their running style; then the customer can order a shoe size.

Minter said a loyal customer base has made all the difference.

"I did have a worry and was kind of scared the first couple of weeks," he said. "I didn’t realize how much outpouring. Connected with communities that didn’t know that we were here, essentially."

This proudly black-owned business uses precautions.

Masks, frequent sanitizing and signs outside warn customers about a 10-person limit inside the store and to not come in if they feel sick.

But Minter knew he wanted to do more.

"I know I had to like, really reconnect with the community, whether you’re white, black, or whatever, just really connect," he said. "Make sure I was being part of the community instead of someone who was just here for profit, you know what I mean?"

So he’s giving back, by raising donations for virtual fundraising for the George Floyd Memorial fund and the Lake Street Council.

Two events raised $1,000 for the community.

"People don’t realize the struggle of being a man of color in a business," Minter said. "But also being able to win the support, it’s kind of a really big thing. Thought that was really awesome."

Through all of this, Minter said he’s learning about himself, and helping others.

Food for thought, in a challenging time.

"We’re all created equal, essentially from the core of the fibers of our being, as opposed to the shade of our skin," he exclaimed. "I’m happy to help out when possible. Because people have helped me along the way, and it’s only right. Things go in full circle."