Footbeats

I opened Footbeats in the Holyoke Mall in 1984. At the time, I was only carrying children’s footwear. As business flowed over the course of years, I started seeing the need to diversify, so I added adult footwear about 15 years ago. When the space opened up in Thornes, the management team contacted me to see if I’d be interested, and in 2017, I moved into the building. Since that time, we’ve morphed and changed a bit, including adding men’s footwear about a year ago. After Ted’s Boot Shop closed, people were requesting more men’s offerings, so we added a small selection that has been very successful. Whether you are looking for a casual shoe, something a bit dressier, or a comfortable slipper, we’ve got options.

Every year, we head off to tradeshows to check out the most innovative shoe lines from around the world. Some are successful in the store and some don’t pan out, but we’re always looking for fun new footwear for our customers—styles you won’t find online or around the corner. We really try to curate lines according to our customers’ preferences and feedback.

I have had businesses throughout the region for 40 years, and I have witnessed things change dramatically in that time. After all, when I began, the internet didn’t even exist yet. The retail environment is constantly changing, and we have to adjust to keep up with the changing world around us. No year is the same, and we’re always trying to find ways to meet our customers where they are to restock.

We still firmly believe in hands-on customer service and we cultivate great relationships with our customers. It’s important to be able to greet them by name and welcome them back, as repeat business is the key to success. And of course, attracting new customers is also important. We want to keep people walking in the door to see what’s new. We’re at a point where some customers will just pop in to say “hi” and check out what they might want to try on later in the week when they return to shop. We really pride ourselves on that type of relationship and customer loyalty.

Josie, the manager of my store, has been working for me since she was 16—she started back when I was still in the Holyoke Mall. People sometimes think she’s my kid! She’s an integral part of both the store and the business, and the customers know her as well as they know me. Josie comes to trade shows with me, helps to figure out the merchandise mix, and is truly the smiling face of the store. She really is the day-to-day operator of our Thornes  location.

It’s a community—like a family—and we help each other out in so many ways. If I don’t have something in the store, I can recommend another business in the building that carries it. There are so many loyal Thornes customers, many of whom come through the building every day. We also get a good amount of out-of-town business, including college students who bring their parents, alumni who return for visits or reunions, and people who are just checking out the area. There’s a lot of nostalgia connected to Thornes, and people often decide to meet up here because it’s the hub of Northampton.

I love what I do, and I’m happy to still be doing it in this community. When I first came here, I didn’t really know what to expect. The people are great, and I’m really glad to be a part of the building. I love meeting all of the interesting entrepreneurs within Thornes. Some people have many years of business experience, and some people are just getting started. I really appreciate the mix and all of the different personalities.

Our biggest brands have not changed dramatically—those include Dansko, Birkenstock, Pikolinos, Rieker, Remonte, and others. We have our core basics and always have new fashion items coming in as well. We call this “walking shoe season,” when people are shopping for their springtime walks and travel adventures. As the weather changes again, we’ll move into sandal season. Early customers are important when it comes to the change of seasons and styles—they are our barometers. So even if you come in and think you’re not ready to buy summer shoes because you haven’t had a pedicure yet, we encourage you to buy them while we have them in stock.

I am an avid cyclist. If I’m not working, I am on my bike. I do a number of charity rides, both locally and internationally, including Bikes Fight Cancer, a ride for Special Olympics, and in support of the Food Bank of Western Mass. It’s a win-win, as I get to do something I love while also giving back to the community. I have also set a goal for myself to bike across all 50 United States, and I’ve accomplished more than a third of that goal so far.

I’ve done travel bike trips in places that include Chile, Patagonia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Norway. Most of the trips I take tend to be in somewhat rural areas, where there are fewer cars and better cycling opportunities. Beyond the cycling aspect, I  really enjoy learning the history and culture of the places I visit. It’s so important to expand our understanding of other countries and people. Our next big cycling adventure will be in New Zealand in January.