About Fortis
Our Mission
To inspire all athletes with exceptional sportswear and equipment through a thoughtful, personalized, and community-first service experience.
Our Vision
To continuously build relationships with our local sports community while providing an exceptional, alternative experience to big-box retailers.
Our History
Fortis Sports is a family-owned business established in 2023 following the acquisition of the former Step In Sports store in the Village of Chagrin Falls. As the new owners of the beloved store, the Kilpatrick family remained dedicated to operating an excellent and truly local sporting goods store.
Sports have been central to the lives of our team at Fortis. From an early age the family has shared the love of a swing of the bat, the block of the shot, or the dive in the pool. Often being the last ones to leave the field at practices and the first to arrive on game days, this passion has not diminished over the years.
With a growth mindset and determination to remain at the forefront of the sports community in Chagrin Falls, we provide an alternative to big-box and online shopping and truly embrace the mindset of “retail athletes” who enjoy the competition, embrace the grind, and value the community of coaches, families, and players who make it all possible.
Our Team
Owner Rose Kilpatrick, a Mayfield native, has always had a passion for her local community, a contagious energy and entrepreneurial spirit. Rose and her husband Jim, who she leads the store with, have four children: Mike, Natalie, Katie, and Matt.
Shortly after the acquisition of Step In Sports, Mike and Matt took on larger roles managing the family business after working with brands like Nike, Guess, and Stitch Fix respectively – with Mike curating the in-store experience and Matt at the helm of merchandising. The team also includes long-time honorary family member, Conor Head, a local and highly respected football athlete. Since establishing Fortis, the family has always seen operating the storefront as an opportunity to connect with and invest in their local community first and foremost.
Brick & Mortar
Our storefront was constructed in 1873, early records show that it started as an apparel and shoe store. By 1920, it was the First National Bank that lasted through the Great Depression. By 1965, it had transformed into an office supply store and in 2000 it became the home of Step In Sports – now Fortis Sports.
But our story doesn't end with the gear on our shelves. We measure our success by the strength of the athletes, teams, and community we serve.
Dedicated to Serving Others
At Fortis Sports, we believe that true strength is built not only on the field but also in the community we serve. Our passion for sports goes hand-in-hand with our dedication to uplift, empower, and support those around us. For us, success isn’t just measured in scores; it’s measured in the positive impact we can make on people’s lives.
We’re proud to invest our resources, our time, and our passion into initiatives that support health, well-being, and opportunity.
The Fortis Experts & Coaches Collective
Our staff consists of former athletes and gear enthusiasts trained to give you the perfect fit and honest recommendations.
We partner with elite local coaches to provide high-level mentorship, specialized training clinics, and unmatched advice for developing players.
Need a fresh pocket? Our talented student-athlete stringers offer pro-level lacrosse stick stringing.
Come visit our newly renovated store in chagrin falls.
5 N. Franklin St., Chagrin Falls, OH