The above photo features Perry Calhoun and his son, Perry, Jr. at The Shoe Market at 4624 West Market Street. We had a chance to talk to them yesterday during the annual Labor Day sale. With the rain and the cooler temperature yesterday, Labor Day, indeed, felt like the end of summer. While the rain may have kept some home, The Shoe Market was busy and Mr. Calhoun (Senior) had nothing but great things to say about his sales staff as they masterfully helped customers. Three of his employees left their positions as traveling reps for the opportunity to work at The Shoe Market. One employee, who used to sell cars, is now happily selling shoes because the income potential is impressive. Some of the sales staff have been with the store for over twenty years. This independent shoe store consistently gets rated in the top three in the industry, based on ratings by secret shoppers, whom Mr. Perry, Sr. has yet to catch. He credits his high industry ratings to the sales staff. It is nice to go to a retail store where the sales staff really know the product. The high quality shoes they carry is also a plus. As an example, Mr. Perry mentioned the SAS brand. Made in San Antonio, SAS has 88 sizes for women and 116 sizes for men. From slim to narrow, medium to wide, double wide, and triple wide, you can get the exact size to fit your foot.
Mr. Perry, Sr. majored in business at the University of Alabama, worked elsewhere and came to Greensboro in 1992 to open The Shoe Market. His son, Perry, Jr. was first in the U.S.Army, and then attended school in New York to learn make orthotics, and is now working alongside his dad. They have built quite a business out of helping people stand, walk, and run in comfort. If you have been in Greensboro for a while, you know about the Greensboro tassel loafer and HERE is a 1996 article from the Greensboro News & Record about the great length Mr. Perry, Sr. went to to replicate the shoe when the Nettleton Shoe Company went out of business. Next time we're in the store, we going to check and see if they still sell that loafer, and maybe even buy a pair!
Happy Tuesday!
Sounds like they do well.
Posted by: William Kendall | Tuesday, September 06, 2022 at 08:44 AM
I purchased a pair of New Balance shoes there yesterday. Marian Eshleman, the New Balance fitter, was extremely knowledgeable. She insisted on measuring my feet. I told her that I am usually getting 7.5 shoes but my new shoes are 8.5 with an orthopedic insole. I feel like I am walking on clouds now.
Posted by: Katja Brown | Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 02:31 PM