Boutiques & Specialty shops
In My Shoes There is certainly something to be said for walking a mile in somebody else’s shoes, but aaahhh the comfort and familiarity of walking in your own, especially when they fit you just right. That’s what a visit to In My Shoes, 85 Main Street, will do for you. “We’re gonna make sure you have the right fit,” says owner Nancy Brooks. “You can’t get that at the mall.” Nancy celebrates three years at the helm of In My Shoes in October. She had worked in retail and sales for years but “not shoes specifically,” she says. That changed after a conversation with co-worker Scott Lewis during her tenure at Lewis Homes. Scott’s wife, Tammi, had owned In My Shoes for six years (Don Abplanalp was the long-time proprietor before that) and was ready to do something different. “Scott said, ‘You should buy it,’” Nancy recalls. The suggestion didn’t register immediately—it took about twenty-four hours—but it wasn’t long before she found herself owner of a shoe store, dealing with vendors, going to shoe shows, working with Tammi, and educating herself about all things shoe and foot related. “This has been a shoe store for over fifty years,” Nancy muses. “People come in and say they got their first pair of shoes here and now they’re getting some for their kids.” That, of course, is part of the charm of a small-town retail establishment. She says she gets a good mix of locals and tourists, and for vacationers who may not want to contend with one more package, she can direct-ship to their home. For her there is no typical day, she continues, but for the customer, well, he or she can count on friendly, knowledgeable service and a great selection of footwear. The shelves hold an assortment of sneakers, work boots, cozy slippers and socks, cleats, sandals, and shoelaces; the ever-popular Dansko brand has come out with a more flexible clog in a fun variety of colors that are selling like hotcakes (and, by the way, there is a shelf with local maple syrup and hotcake mix) and Nancy can testify to the comfort and durability of the Hi-Tec hikers. “Mine have been to Colorado and Arizona,” she says. “They’ve done me well.” And if you don’t see what you want in the store, it is no problem at all for Nancy to special order. “The biggest thing is listening to people and to know what they’re looking for,” she says. Call (570) 724-2646 or check out In My Shoes on Facebook for store hours and weekly specials. Then stop in for a visit and follow the directive on the wall above the shelving: “Run, skip and jump, work, play and live, the possibilities are endless…In My Shoes”
40