SNEAKER
FACTORY'S HISTORY
Founded in 1978 in Millburn, Sneaker Factory Running Centers is New Jersey’s oldest run specialty shop — and we’re proud to still be family owned and locally staffed nearly 50 years later. What started as a single neighborhood running store has grown into three community hubs, with locations in Millburn (1978), Basking Ridge (2009), and Denville (2025).
Original owner Dean Shonts was an accomplished runner with a wide circle of friends, and word quickly spread that Sneaker Factory was the place to go for running footwear and apparel. From the very beginning, Dean was deeply committed to supporting races and giving people reasons to run.
That commitment took shape early on when Dean launched the Sneaker Factory Summer Series in South Mountain Reservation during the store’s first summer. Over the years, the store has played a role in many landmark events, including the New Jersey Waterfront Marathon, which served as the 1988 Men’s Olympic Trials, and the Volvo Midland Run. Today’s calendar includes favorites like the President’s Cup Night Race in downtown Millburn and the Lord Stirling Swamp Devil Run in Basking Ridge.
Our passion has always been our community. Each year, we partner with over 100 local races, sponsor high school athletic programs, and employ local runners and student-athletes. We collaborate with dozens of area doctors and health professionals because we believe movement is truly medicine.
After 27 great years, Dean decided to retire—sort of. He sold the store to friend and longtime customer Mike Conforti, who joined Sneaker Factory to learn the business and master the art of shoe fitting. An avid runner and triathlete, Mike also brought a strong business background to the table. Dean remained involved part-time, continuing to lend his experience and guidance. In the years that followed, Sneaker Factory evolved steadily, welcoming new customers and adding the industry’s top product lines.
In 2009, Mike recognized that Sneaker Factory had become more than just a store—it was a culture and a brand. With that vision, he expanded westward into an underserved area of New Jersey, opening a second location in Basking Ridge. The new store embodied the ideal running shop: a modern retail space, an exceptional selection of top brands, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff of passionate runners. Upon entering, customers are greeted by a track that runs the length of the store—a tribute to the brand’s deep roots in the sport.
The story doesn’t end there. In 2025, Sneaker Factory opened its newest location in downtown Denville at 55 Broadway. Situated right on Broadway, the Denville store hosts weekly group runs and has quickly become a favorite starting point for scenic routes straight from the front door. Serving runners from as far north as Sussex County, the Denville location has become a go-to destination for high school athletes and experienced marathoners alike.
Over the decades, we’ve professionally fit runners and walkers in more than 250,000 pairs of shoes — so rest assured, we have seen it all. But what matters most to us isn’t just the miles logged, it’s the relationships built along the way.
Thank you for making us your go-to destination for running, walking, and staying active in New Jersey.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Sneaker Factory Running Centers will continue to grow and evolve. Have an idea for us, or think your town could use a locally owned run-specialty store? Drop us an email or stop by and say hello.
Please visit any of our locations, stay awhile, and experience what makes Sneaker Factory the center of running culture in New Jersey.
