Newly elected Edmonds City Councilmember Frank Yamamoto said Thursday that he is closing his downtown Edmonds Running in Motion store in the next week so he can focus on getting up to speed on City Council work.

“I have decided to retire and close my store,” Yamamoto said in an email Thursday. “I want to concentrate on the council job as there is much to learn. ”

Yamamoto, who will be sworn in at next Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, was elected Nov. 8 to fill the Council Position 6, vacated when incumbent Steve Bernheim chose not to run again.

Yamamoto chairs the 17-member Citizens Economic Development Commission and previously served as president of the Downtown Edmonds Merchant Association. In addition, he is on the board of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Edmonds Community College Business Advisory Board. He also organized local running events in the community including the Waterfront Festival, 4th of July, Public Education Foundation and Christmas runs.

Before starting his running store six and a half years ago, Yamamoto spent more than 20 years as a business leader, executive and manager in the private sector. He said it’s possible he could start another business “after I get a better feel of the council expectations.”

Yamamoto plans to have an open house at the store next Friday, starting at 5 p.m., to thank customers and friends for their support.