Hurray for all the new spring sandles and colorful shoes coming in!!  To remind everyone about who we are and what we do, it’s time to remake our TV spot.  This morning we had Comcast in our new Grand Central store filming for our upcoming spot.  A special thanks to Christi, Bridget, Sondra, Karen, Holly, Vicki, Mark, Leslie, and Ryan!  We’ll put up a link as soon as the production is done!

Thanks again everyone!

Alan

Spending three days at the Outdoor Retailer Show, it’s sure easy to get caught up in the moment!  In fact a buyer could go crazy buying all this fun stuff!  All the latest gear from virtually every top outdoor supplier tempts you at every turn!  Hiking shoes, running shoes, casual shoes, boots, and clogs are all represented.  Dansko, Keen, Merrell, New Balance, and most all our best vendors are there to show us product for Fall 2012.  Even brands like Naot, Wolky, Josef Seibel, and Romika with styles you wouldn’t think of as “Outdoor” come to find new distributors for their shoes.  Layer in all the ski and snowboard companies, snowshoe, climbing and backpacking gear, plus high end outdoor apparel makers and I’m like a kid in a candy store!  I keep warning, “One of these days I going to come home and start trying to sell skis or something!”  On second thought, maybe I should just stick to the comfort shoes, boots, and sandals along with our mix of running shoes, hiking shoes and everything else that goes on a foot.  That’s what we’re best at.

The Outdoor Retailer Show, held twice yearly in Salt Lake City, brings suppliers and retailers of all types of gear together under one roof.  This makes planning and buying for our stores a much easier task by allowing us to view offerings from most all suppliers over the span of a few days vs. weeks of sales reps bringing their fare to us.  It also allows a buyer to compare shoes and gear from multiple suppliers and make better decisions about what to carry without over-duplicating categories….at least that is the theory. 

Now I’m starting the job of putting pen to paper ( or type to spreadsheet) and putting together the buy for Fall 2012!  If anyone has any requests or directions you would like to see us move toward, please let me know!

Cheers!

Alan

We’ve just marked down the majority of our sale merchandise to 50% off. We still have some great values from brands like New Balance, Merrell, Josef Seibel, Keen, Dansko and many more. These shoes won’t last forever at these prices! Come see us today for some of our best shoes at their lowest prices.  Sizes are limited but the number of pairs you want to buy is notJ

Cheers!

Alan

Fitness and new running shoes go hand and hand with many New Year’s resolutions.  January brings in many new releases of running shoes in categories from motion control and stability shoes to neutral cushioning, minimalist, and barefoot running shoes.  These newly released athletic shoes offer all the latest and greatest technology from brands like Brooks, New Balance, Saucony, and Mizuno.  January also gives you the chance to find your favorite running shoes on sale as we discontinue some older versions to make room for the new releases.  I’ve personally had running shoes that I wished I had stocked up on before they went away because they worked so well for my gait.  If you’ve ever had that “special” running shoe by New Balance, Mizuno, Brooks, Saucony, or any other brand that made you run like the wind, it just might be on sale now as the new version is on the horizon.  Then again, it’s pretty cool to show up to a group run in a brand new 2012 running shoe with all the new bells and whistles.

Right now we have a many running shoes on our sale page that are being discontinued.  As their new replacements come in, we will get them loaded onto our site as well.  It may be winter now and may be cold, dark, or wet in the morning but look on the bright side; the days are already getting longer.  We get a lot of rain here in the Pacific Northwest and when I try to pull the rain card out of my deep pocket of excuses; my training partners remind that I carry Gore-tex running shoes and other waterproof trail running shoes.

Remember this your next rainy day you’re thinking about a run.  The hardest part is always just getting started.  Once you get a little wet, you usually end up not minding.  Plus, the sense of overcoming the elements after your done is always a boost to your sole!  That and a hot shower never feels as good as after a wet run!

Cheers!

Alan

Since our first store in 2004, our shoe stores in here in Vancouver, Washington have had the point of difference that we are experts about feet and fitting shoes.  The most rewarding part of our business is when people come in experiencing foot pain from problems like plantar fasciitis, bunions, heel  spurs or metatarsalgia and end leave with not only an education about how to get better but we also send then out with a bag of shoes,  orthotics, or socks that really will work for them.  When they come back and rave about how much better we made their sore feet feel it is a terrific feeling knowing you had such an impact on their life.

To make sure our foot doctors in Vancouver are continually up to date on what we are doing, we like to contact them from time to time regarding their patients care and how we can better help serve them.  The following is a letter we put together when we opened our third store.

Dr. XXXXXXXX and staff,

We wanted to make sure you were aware that we’ve opened our third store in Vancouver at the Grand Central Shopping Center.  It’s the center with Fred Meyer just off highway 14 one mile east of downtown Vancouver.  We also would like to thank you for trusting us to help care for the patients you refer to us. 

Our goal is simple; be the best place in the entire Portland and Southwest Washington area for true professional shoe fitting.  We’re committed to the proper pedorthic training of our staff to properly fill any needs you have for your patients.  All of our locations have a clean upscale retail feel yet our promise to the medical community is that we will care for and educate any of your referrals in a responsible and professional manner.

Here are few things we’re proud to bring to the community:

-We now have three Certified Pedorthists between our stores

 -Two of our locations are ABC accredited pedorthic facilities.  This is a requirement by CMS to bill for approved diabetic footwear and sets us apart from other shoe stores.

 -We have digital pressure plate systems to use as a tool to determine off-weighting and support needs of feet.

 -We are set up to do video gate analysis at our new Grand Central store.

 -Our entire staff is extensively trained in pedorthics and is capable of modifying OTC inserts and providing proper shoes to accommodate most common foot ailments.

 -We can digitally or manually cast feet to build custom foot orthotics from a wide variety of materials to care for feet of all types and conditions in our accredited facilities.

 -Our broad footwear mix of extensive sizes and widths and categories ranging from athletic, casual, dress, and outdoor to allow us to provide solutions for all occasions.

 If ever there is a concern, suggestion or a specific need for anyone please let us know how we can assist.  I hope to continue fulfilling any needs you may have.

 Regards,

 Alan O’Hara

When The Shoe Fits

After Christmas Sale shopping for shoes, boot, and clogs is a popular event.  Savvy shoppers know the best selection on sale shoes can be had by shopping as early as you can.  To help you out with this we’ve taken additional markdowns on sale shoes from Dansko, Merrell, Keen, Naot, Brooks, New Balance and more.  The sale prices are all updated on our web site sale page and they are ready for purchasing as I write this.  If you’ve been checking out that special Dansko on sale, maybe a Keen hiking boot, running shoe or any other footwear need, you just might find the right shoe for a bargain price. 

Before you know it our vendors will be shipping us spring sandals and shoes and we need to move out the old inventory to make room. 

There are still a lot of great shoes, boots, and clogs on sale but they will go fast  so come on in or jump online and make sure you don’t miss out on our sale.

Happy Holidays!

Alan