Sure it isn't cheap. You pay for service and selection from a specialty store.
I'm always surprised at how few good specialty shops of any kind there are in Phoenix. As far as I can tell Runner's Den is THE specialty running store in the Valley - and thank the gods its a great one.
It can be crowded on weekends, and the wait for assistance can be maddening, but it is worth it. The only way they could afford more floor space and staff would be to broaden their focus and then they would just be another Champs or Big 5.
Want to get fitted for shoes by someone who knows what they are doing and can recommend the best shoe for you? Maybe analyze the wear pattern on your present clogs and suggest a replacement? Or would you prefer going to the mall, saving $15 bucks and having a pimply-faced teenager who spends most of his life on Xbox take care of you? It's your choice!
I was a serious - meaning top 20 nationally in my age-group - multi-sport guy when I lived in SoCal, so I think I know a good running store when I see one. And trust me, Runner's Den is LEGIT! The folks working there are all runners and pretty serious about what they do. Excellent selection of shoes, socks and toys for foot massage and other devices. Things you might find at Tribal Multi-sport but otherwise nowhere else in the Valley that I know of.
You will not be disappointed. Oh yeah, parking is a bitch at this place. On the weekend, you may wait for a spot. Skip the Suburban and take the Mini-cooper.