Elite Feet

Overland Park’s family-owned run-and-walk specialty shop since 1997 — the Nottberg family has been fitting KC feet since 1980, making them the longest-tenured running footwear specialists in the metro.

Description

Elite Feet at Hawthorne Plaza in Overland Park is a family-owned specialty footwear shop operated by Don and Leslie Nottberg and their daughter Gaelyn. Don Nottberg received comprehensive training in foot biomechanics, morphology, sports injuries, and anatomy in Atlanta in 1980 and opened the first running/walking specialty store in the Kansas City area that same year. The Elite Feet brand specifically launched in 1997, where it has remained ever since under the Nottberg family’s hands.

The shop’s philosophy is fitting over selling — Don and his staff assess each customer’s specific foot structure, gait, and activity needs before recommending footwear, carrying brands chosen for performance rather than trend: Topo, Saucony, Brooks, Mizuno, Hoka, and others. The shop does not chase volume; hours are Tuesday through Saturday, reflecting a deliberate, service-first approach.

Gaelyn Nottberg joined the family business during college summers and became a permanent team member approximately two decades ago, making Elite Feet a genuine two-generation operation with the prospect of a third-generation continuation. With 45+ years of combined presence in the KC running footwear market, the Nottberg family represents an unusual depth of commitment to a single specialty in a single metro area.

Ownership and history

Year	Event
1980	Don Nottberg opens the first running/walking specialty store in the Kansas City area after biomechanics training in Atlanta1
1997	Don and Leslie Nottberg open Elite Feet at Hawthorne Plaza, Overland Park, KS2
c. 2004	Gaelyn Nottberg joins full-time (approximately 22 years ago as of 2026)1
2026	Active; Tue–Sat 10AM–5PM; three Nottbergs operating the shop3

Links

• Site: https://elitefeetkc.com/

Sources

Disputes

None at this time. Note: Yelp lists the address as “Leawood, Kansas” in the listing title due to proximity to the Leawood border; physical address is Overland Park, KS 66209.

Footnotes

1. https://voyagekc.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-don-leslie-and-gaelyn-nottberg-of-elite-feet-kansas-city — Asserts: Don and Leslie Nottberg owners; received extensive biomechanics education in Atlanta in 1980; opened first KC running/walking store 1980; Elite Feet 1997; Gaelyn joined summers then full-time (~22 years); “definitely an example of a small family business.” ↩ ↩²

2. https://elitefeetkc.com/ — Asserts: Located at 4837 W 119th St, Overland Park KS 66209 (Hawthorne Plaza); “Locally owned and expertly operated since 1997”; Tues–Sat 10a–5p. ↩

3. https://www.yelp.com/biz/elite-feet-leawood — Asserts: 4837 W 119th St; updated May 2026; 27 reviews; active; Tue–Sat 10AM–5PM. ↩