Brooks Running to More Than Double Central Ohio Presence With Move to 600K SF Building at Rickenbacker Logistics Park

A running performance retailer is relocating its distribution center to a new facility that will more than double its Central Ohio presence. Seattle-based Brooks Running, currently located at 2829 Rohr Road in Groveport, will move to nearby 10302 Transport St. in the second quarter of 2023. The company will occupy nearly 600,000 square feet, which encompasses an entire building at Rickenbacker Logistics Park in Groveport.

Brooks is currently located in a 284,000-square-foot facility, so the move adds about 316,000 square feet to the running company's local footprint. It will also result in new employees, as Brooks plans to hire another 100 people in addition to the 100 workers it currently employs in Central Ohio.

“As we continue to increase our ability to meet the needs of today’s runners and expand our reach throughout the running community, we’re excited to begin this new chapter in Columbus,” Erik Rodriguez, senior director for global distribution at Brooks, said in a news release. “This new facility marks an increase in our potential to meet demand in a strategic location with new logistical advancements.”

The distribution facility features 40-foot-clear ceiling height, 18 docks, 60 drive-in doors and 117 spaces for trailer parking, which is expandable. The building sits on 28 acres and allows for expansion up to 1 million square feet. In addition to the new Groveport location, Brooks has a second distribution facility in Whitestown, Indiana.

Rickenbacker Logistics Park is a new, 382-acre master-planned industrial development offering 5 million square feet of industrial facilities. It is within a day’s truck drive of over 150 million people and nearly 42,000 headquarter operations, or 46% of the country’s population and manufacturing base, and 48% of the country’s headquarters, according to the release.

“The speed at which Brooks can reach its target market from the new facility is truly remarkable,” said Cresa Managing Principal Jim Hazard, who brokered the Brooks deal with his colleague Brad Struck, along with Michael Cantor from Allegro. “It was key to locate a building considering all factors such as transportation, real estate cost, taxes, labor cost and labor availability, while providing a secure path for future expansions.”

The landlord, CT Investors, was represented by JLL's Dan Wendorf and Brian Marsh.

Founded in 1914, Brooks Running sells performance footwear, apparel and accessories to customers worldwide. In Central Ohio, its products can be found at a variety of stores, including Columbus Running Company, Finish Line, Fleet Feet, Public Lands and Dick's Sport Goods. Brooks is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

This article originally appeared in the Columbus Business First, see it here.