When Running Fit shoe retailer opened its seventh store on Jackson Road west of Zeeb Road in Scio Township a year ago, founder and co-owner Randy Step wasn’t sure how well the location would do and decided to take a wait and see attitude. “I wanted to make sure the location was viable,” he said.

The location proved solidly viable, delivering the second highest sales volume of the company’s stores. It’s been such a success, Step said, that Running Fit has moved forward with plans for an addition to the building. A request to add 5,000 square feet to the 5,700-square-foot former church goes before the Scio Township Planning Commission Monday.

Running Fit co-owner Randy Step is seen in front of the Scio Township headquarters in this AnnArbor.com file photo.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The project, with an estimated $330,000 cost, would add some retail and storage space and between 2,000 and 4,000 square feet available for lease, Step said. He hopes to attract a tenant who complements Running Fit, such as personal training or a fitness business. “It would be nice to share a customer base,” he said.

The addition will improve the building’s economy of scale, Step said. “It’s difficult to own (commercial) space without maximizing your space,” he said. Running Fit paid about $200 a square foot for its 5,700-square-feet building. The addition, he said, will cost just over $60 a square foot.

Step and co-owner Steve Angerman were looking for high-profile space when they bought the former Church of the Nazarene, located near such major retailers as Meijer. They bought the $875,000 building with a Small Business Administration loan and followed it up with $400,000 in renovations and improvements.

Running Fit added eight positions with the new location and will continue to add jobs with the addition, Step said.

Vanston/O’Brien, a Dexter construction firm, did the work. They also will be in charge of the addition, Step said. If Scio Township approves a number of variances, construction could start in July and should take about 60 days, Step said. There are a number of zoning issues, Step said, including property line proximity and retention pond variance requests.

The addition would be a steel building with a stone façade to match the existing exterior.

Running Fit was founded by Step in downtown Ann Arbor 25 years ago. In addition to the Jackson Road location, Running Fit retains a downtown Ann Arbor store along with two stores in Traverse City and locations in West Bloomfield, Novi and Northville. The Jackson Road location also houses Running Fit’s events planning operation. The company plans 23 running events annually, including marathons and triathlons.