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Shop Small continues to be an annual shopping tradition — just one part of the larger Shop Small Movement to support small businesses every day and everywhere. Because a visit to our family-owned Village, shoppes, and restaurants not only supports our local economy but also promotes a thriving community.

Name of your store: Kelley’s Pace

Your name/relationship to store: Jeff Anderson, Owner

How long have you been in the Village? Kelley’s Pace 39 years ago! Myself as the new owner – 4 years.

How did the idea for your business come about? After John and Jessie Kelley, who started the store 40 years ago passed away, I wanted to make sure our community would have a running store to call their own.  I always wanted to have and manage my own business.

What makes your store so special? Our customer service and expert advice!  When you live and work in our own community, you want to treat your customers right, since they are much more than customers, they’re our neighbors and friends. Families have been coming to Kelley’s Pace for years.   We have parents and grandparents who have been buying their shoes here since they were in High School.  It is so nice when you see multigenerational customers coming in with their families.

What about your store are you the most proud of? That we are able to provide a unique customer experience, while offering great products and able to help people achieve their fitness goals.

What motivates you every day? Loving what I do.  Our customers have become my friends.  As a family business, a few of my children work with me.  What’s better than spending time with your children and working side by side?

What do you like the most about being in the Village? You could not as for a better place to work.  It’s clean, plenty of parking, a wide variety of shops and restaurants, all which bring a wide range of visitors. In what ways does your business give back to the community in and around Mystic? Kelley’s Pace supports all local road races, we produce two races which in three years has donated more than $20,000 back to local non-profits.  We donate to local high schools and support Girls on the Run which empowers your girls to not only run but gain self-respect.   We support the local running community by offering free fun runs every Saturday and Thursday.

Kelley’s Pace is located in Olde Mistick Village, Building 15c, 27 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355