Grab your sneakers! Haraka Run & Walk, a new Black-owned and Veteran-owned running specialty store just opened in Hyattsville.
The first of its kind in the county, Haraka Run & Walk held its grand opening for its new retail store on Baltimore Avenue this past weekend with a host of outdoor vendors and a DJ.
The community came out to support the owners, Carol and Jesse Holland as they officially cut the ribbon on the store that fills a long-standing gap in the county’s retail services. The celebration featured a pre-grand opening fun run on the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail, with Brooks, Altra, ASICS, and others offering shoe demos.
“For too long, our community has been overlooked by the running industry,” said co-owner Jesse Holland. “This grand opening is about Prince George’s County finally getting what it deserves.”
Haraka — meaning “speed” in Swahili — is owned by Carol and Jesse Holland, Bowie residents who are the inaugural recipients of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition’s RUN THE BLOCK grant. The $200,000 award helped establish one of only a handful of Black-owned running specialty stores in the nation.
The store offers expert shoe fittings from brands including Brooks, Nike, New Balance, On, Hoka, ASICS, Saucony, and Altra, along with accessories, apparel, and Haraka-branded merchandise.
“Whether you’re training for your first 5K or just want to walk more comfortably, we’re here to help you take that first step,” Carol Holland said. “No judgment, no pressure — just support.”
