Dallas-based Luke’s Locker serves local athletes

by Monica Dutia

OAK LAWN — Luke’s Locker has been an institution for fitness junkies and cross country runners since it opened its first store over 20 years ago.

Founded by Don and Sharon Lucas, Luke’s was created when running shoes were not readily available in Dallas.

Matt Lucas, Sharon and Don’s son who is now involved in the family business, said that his parents started the company because of the unavailability of exercise and running gear.

“There was really nowhere you could buy that kind of equipment at the time,” Matt said. “It was a passion built really out of necessity.”

Luke’s has since developed into a company that promotes fitness at a new level throughout Texas. The store bases its service off of three philosophies: offering the best products in the running, walking, fitness and multi-sport markets; delivering superior service and product knowledge to every customer; and providing a store atmosphere that is warm, friendly and enjoyable.

“We started with one store and now have seven,” Matt said. “We’ve grown a lot in terms of size and sales and we have all of the family involved. More importantly, we’ve understood why we’re successful and [become aware] of the culture that exists in all of our stores.”

What sets Luke’s apart from other fitness stores of its type is the personal attention the trained staff provide to help you find the ideal shoe. According to Richard Adams of the Oak Lawn store, each person who comes in to purchase a shoe undergoes a gait analysis. A fitter watches a customer walk and run a short distance without wearing any shoes. This identifies their walking style and specifies what type of shoe a person needs.

“It’s like when you go buy a pair of jeans,” Adams said. “They’re all made a little differently. Some of them might run narrow; some of them might run a little wider. We have the nuances of what would work best [for each person.]”

Adams also said that although they receive significant business from high school runners, the majority of their clientele is between the ages of 25-45. Many older men and women also come to Luke’s after being referred by doctors, chiropractors, and trainers.

In terms of family ownership, Matt said that the entire family distributes their time amongst the stores during the week.

“Home base is the Oak Lawn location, but each of us focuses on key responsibilities in all of our locations,” he said.

His mom and dad, Sharon and Don, are still very much a part of the company. Sharon is involved with the women’s buying process for the Nike store within the Oak Lawn location, and Don is instrumental in the races Luke’s sponsors, as well as the Fit Program, the Comers meets, and the Beat program, where runners of all abilities are invited to participate.

Luke’s at the Shops at Legacy in Plano opened last summer. Patton Gleason, who manages the store’s footwear department and training programs, said this location is a bit more suited for neighboring suburbs.

“There’s a little more of a laid back pace here,” Gleason said. “There are a lot of similarities [to the other stores,] but it is easier to get to for a lot of our customers.”

In addition to selling shoes and apparel by ASICS, Nike, Adidas, Mizuno, Brooks (among others), Luke’s consistently maintains a close relationship between its clients and the fitness world. The stores and website have running calendars and information on marathons, triathlons, and other events near each location.