i have been a runner for many years, and i've always bought my shoes at this place. they do check gait, and know how to put you in the right shoe for your needs. i appreciate that they are cool about returns too. i ran in the same sort of shoe for a long time, but after a surgery on my calves, my gait changed. it was an ordeal finding the right shoe to compensate for my new stride. they allowed me to take shoes and try them on the treadmill until i found the right one. after taking a pair home, i gave them a try for a longer period of time on the treadmill and realized they weren't right. i took them back, and was able to exchange them for a pair that worked.
most of the guys who work here are very knowledgeable about what they are selling and to me, that is the biggest benefit. this isn't foot locker and they aren't trying to set you up in fashion shoes.
the other thing this store has is gear/supplements. they saved my ass this race season when a box from hammer nutrition didn't come in on time. they had endurolytes and perpetuem waiting right there. it was a god send and i know that i'd have struggled to finish my endurance race without it. they carry great gear from nathan, amphipod, and spibelt -- and a lot of mens and women's running clothing.
all in all, a great store full of runners. if it's possible, though, i would always ask the older guys in there for help. the young guys who work there seem a little less knowledgeable.... and honestly, a little less helpful. they seem to want to sell you the shoe, and that's about it.