First to the Finish, a track and field apparel, equipment and accessories store currently headquartered in Carlinville, Illinois, has broken ground on a new base of operations and retail store in Edwardsville. The business currently has retail stores in Carlinville, Edwardsville and Charleston, Illinois, and also in St. Charles, Missouri.

“It’s pretty exciting to get started,” owner Mike Viano told the City of Edwardsville. “You look back over the years, and you never think you’d get to this point. All my employees are really excited.” The company is nearly 30 years old.

Viano said the new Edwardsville retail store, which he hopes to open by November 1, will be four times larger than the current Edwardsville store. He hopes to have the offices moved by December 31 of this year. The Carlinville retail location will remain, however, First to the Finish will move its accounting, sales and graphic design division to Edwardsville.

The new building will consist of a 16,000-square-foot retail and office space, located next to Planet Fitness on Plum Street (South Main Street).