This journey began in 1977 as Running Central, Inc. (RC), a “traditional” specialty running store that served the running and walking community of Central Illinois. Its founders, Steve Shostrom and wife Joy Kessler, and Greg and Janet White, poured their passion for running into the business. In 2007, Adam and Ian White purchased the business and began building upon the foundation that was laid by its founders. The idea that RC could become a “solution center” and an active lifestyle store that fulfilled people’s daily needs burned bright.

In the summer of 2011, it moved locations from its 30+ year home at the corner of Main St. and Sheridan Rd to Peoria Heights in order to expand its services and product assortments. Less than a year later, it expanded its footprint again and began planning the next step. This next “leap” took place in the summer of 2014 and brought RC to the Peoria Riverfront where it now occupies a footprint large enough to become a true retail destination.
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In the spring of 2019, Running Central became RC Outfitters. RC is “Running Central.” However, the company needed its forward-facing name to catch up to the assortments and solutions that were offered inside the store. Dresses, sweaters, joggers, button-down shirts, casual pants, etc. are not the type of products typically found in a “running store.” With that, the name needed to represent that which it had become; a premium active lifestyle solution center that happens to have its roots and core as a specialty running store.