Mystic - Jeff Anderson of Stonington has some big (running) shoes to fill.

The 52-year-old former seminary student and advertising executive is the new owner of the iconic Kelley's Pace running shoe store in Olde Mistick Village, which has been the unofficial headquarters of the region's running community for the past 35 years.

Anderson purchased the store in October from Mary Camire, who owns Camire's Athletic Soles in Wakefield, R.I., and had operated the store for many years with late Boston Marathon champion John Kelley and his late wife, Jessie. John Kelley died in 2011 and Jessie in 2003.

"I just wanted to make sure the store stayed here with the Kelley name," Anderson said as he sat in the store during a recent afternoon. "The Kelleys were good people who wanted to help people and were interested in their lives. This place can still be that. A place where runners can come to talk."

Anderson, who has lived here with his wife and four children for the past eight years, did not know the Kelleys personally, but said he has learned about them from local runners such as Jim Roy, who headed the successful effort to erect a bronze statue of John Kelley in downtown Mystic this fall.

"The one thing that stands out about the Kelleys is their selflessness," he said. "People come in with their stories about them all the time."

Anderson's decision to not only operate the store but preserve its name means there will remain three concrete reminders of the Kelleys in the region. In addition to the statue of John Kelley and his dog Brutus in the small park next to Mystic Pizza, the 53rd annual John and Jessie Kelley road race will be held next August at Ocean Beach Park in New London.

And like John Kelley, who often had a dog at his side in the store, Anderson will have his dog Oliver on hand to greet customers.

Anderson, a native of Lexington, Mass., received a business degree from St. Michael's College before entering the seminary for seven years, part of which he spent at St. Edmund's Retreat on Masons Island. Just before ordination, he said he decided he was not ready to take his final vows to become a priest.

He went to work for Marriott Management Services, the University of Vermont and then a long stint in advertising in Baltimore, Md. Most recently he spent seven years as the executive director of St. Edmund's Retreat. He then took a leave and earned his MBA in May from Salve Regina University.

"I was looking for the next thing to do. I didn't have the passion for a traditional job," he said about the decision that led to the purchase of Kelley's Pace. "I said, 'what would I like to do?' I wanted to run my own shop."

He said he knew the Kelleys had passed away but was not sure about the ownership of the shop.

"Kelley's Pace is great spot, so I called Mary and asked about her plans. We met in July and she said she had decided she wanted to be out in October," he said.

The timing and opportunity all seemed to come together for Anderson.

" I like to run so this is a perfect fit," he said. "So I did my due diligence and decided this would be worth pursuing."

Anderson has been busy meeting with his vendors, familiarizing himself with the stock and learning the ins and outs of running his own store.

He has some big plans for the store in the future, but said he also wants to preserve what it has been known for in the past.

"There's so many stores out there. We want to stress customer service and fitting people properly. That's why people come here," he said.

Anderson also wants to expand the shop's role as a community running resource.

"The good thing about this place is that it has not changed in 30 years. The bad thing is it has not changed in 30 years," he said as he sat on the well-worn bench where thousands of runners have tried on shoes over the years.

"I want to keep it what it is and move it forward," he added.

He plans fun runs, a learn-to-run program, speaker series, newsletter, website with race calendars, a presence on Facebook and Twitter and to partner with local health professionals such as physical therapists, chiropractors and podiatrists. He also plans to develop relationships with local high schools and races.

"Hopefully we can be a community resource for runners, walkers and people who like to be fit and active," he said.

Anderson also wants to preserve the memory of the Kelleys, which includes putting together a small exhibit of stories and photos about them for customers to see when they come in.

In the past, there was little evidence in the store of Kelley's exploits, such as his 1957 Boston Marathon win, eight straight national marathon championships, two Olympic teams and innumerable racing victories. And that was fine with the always humble Kelley.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas