Blog_RichardYorkShoes

LoveALocalBusiness.com: Richard York Shoes nominated to win a $35k #smallbiz grant.

2010-02-10T12:30:00.001-05:00

Richard York Shoes has been nominated to win a $35k #smallbiz grant on LoveALocalBusiness.com. Help them win!

Here's Your Sign

2010-02-04T11:14:00.008-05:00

I make no attempt to hide the fact that I'm a Blue Collar Comedy watching, NASCAR cheering, country music blaring, son of a GRITS [Gal Raised in The South] guy. Comedian, Bill Engevall, pictured left, is a kindred spirit who made famous a routine entitled, "Here's your sign". Read on 'cause here's YOUR sign.

My favorite recent consumer education episode involved someone who took exception with how trashy they feel Southampton looks at this time of year. Bless this person's heart; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Their sense of aesthetic displeasure was focused on the fact that just about every shop in our village has a large sale sign plastered over its window in the dead of winter.

After regaining my composure, looking around for the candid camera and alien space ship, I realized this person was serious. Try as I might to let this person be entitled to their own opinion, I couldn't restrain myself from turning this into a teachable moment.

Southampton Village is a unique shopping mix of small, independently-owned, boutique, mom-and-pop stores, and some national chain retailers. Even our somewhat mislabeled tony village has been touched by the worldwide economic condition. Southampton is an ocean side community whose census more than triples in the warm weather. My opinion is that businesses here stay open in the non-beach season as a service to their clients rather than with great expectations of large income due greatly to the population shift that occurs. The "off" season is fantastic opportunity to find exceptional values before they are scoffed up once the beach crowds arrive.

Here's your sign: When those screaming banners go up shouting, SALE!, it's an exceptional opportunity to support your neighborhood. Just what does independent business mean to a small town? Take a moment to read some amazing statistics at The 3/50 Project website

Ya'll go shop now, hear...

Reach me via e-mail: sales@richardyorkshoes.com and Twitter. While you're online, visit the Richard York Shoes website, and please fan our Facebook page

Foot Health: Beating Nail Fungus on Dr. Oz

2010-01-27T09:04:00.010-05:00

Dr Oz had an excellent segment on diagnosing and treating toenail fungus on Monday, January 25, 2010. Here's the video link below.

<img src="http://www.doctoroz.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/300x200/media/image_thumb/1_081_04_NailFungusSTILL.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-300x200" width="300" height="200" />

* Always consult a medical professional familiar with your individual situation before undertaking treatment for a condition.

You Got Some Splaining To Do

2010-01-22T07:15:00.029-05:00

Lucy, you got some splaining to do! - Desi Arnaz

Anyone reading this old enough to remember that familiar I Love Lucy Show refrain of her TV and real life husband Ricky Ricardo [Desi Arnaz]? Maybe you've seen reruns? Well I had one of those kind of days, at work, recently. I was taken to task by a customer who had traveled a great distance to resolve an issue with a prior purchase only to find the shop closed. My reality and those of this person were not quite in alignment at the time.

For years the store has been open seven-days-a-week all year. 2010 is different; in order to expand hours during the busier summer season, I'm closing a few week days for January and February...something common with most of my neighbors in a beach resort area like the Hamptons. All reasonable efforts were taken to post this schedule change ahead of time. In case you're wondering: Thursday - Friday Noon - 5p.m., Saturday 10a.m. - 5p.m., Sunday 11a.m. - 5p.m.

Just because the door is locked and the lights are off does not mean we've gone fishing or don't appreciate our customers. Lots goes into running a boutique business where the owner wears many hats. I'm the bookkeeper, merchandiser, human resources and marketing director...no time for me to sit under the sun lamp eating bon-bons at this time of year. Rather, I'm catching up and doing the pre-planning necessary to grow and maintain a successful operation that is seventy years young - meeting with accountants and manufacturers reps, searching for fresh styles you want and love - you get the picture.

That said, here's the public service announcement section of this post; if you are making a special trip to ANY store from a distance, it's a good idea to call ahead, speak to a live body and confirm there is someone present to help you with what you need before traveling sixty miles round trip for naught. Please realize, that try as we might to keep our posted hours, life happens in a micro-business. Again, just call; any independent shopkeeper worth his salt will do his best accommodate by opening early, staying late, shipping your purchase, special ordering what you're looking for...all the little extras to keep you happily returning. Reach me via e-mail: sales@richardyorkshoes.com and Twitter. While you're online, visit the Richard York Shoes website and please fan our Facebook page

Richard York Shoes Supports Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

2010-01-17T14:23:00.004-05:00

Jan 17, 2010--
Beginning today Richard York Shoes is joining in the Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
Corporate President, Mitchell Hagler, has announced that the company will match dollar-for-dollar every donation up to a total of $100 through February 1, 2010.
The fund drive campaign will take place both at its storefront, 43 Main St, Southampton, NY, as well as online using ChipIn on the company's website, Facebook fan page, and its blogpage.
Monies collected will in turn be donated to the footwear industry's efforts via Soles4Souls
Please visit http://www.Soles4Souls.org for more information on shoe industry relief efforts.

Baby's First Footwear

2009-03-13T16:35:00.008-04:00

UPDATED: January 24, 2010 -- View the video, Toddler's First Steps

The single most frequent set of questions we get asked relate to purchasing first walking footwear for a child. In this post I will address the topics of when a child should begin wearing a first walker, characteristics of acceptable first walking footwear, and judging proper fit.

Please be aware that the following are generally agreed upon current opinions and research in both the children's footwear industry and pediatric medicine [specifically the American Academy of Pediatric Medicine]. Citations are available upon request.

A first pair of walking shoes does not improve a child's ability to walk if he has not already begun to do so. Nor should a pair of walking shoes inhibit an early walker; that is, it should not form any resistance to his efforts. Long gone is the norm of a stiff bottomed tall first walker unless prescribed, by a medical professional, to correct a condition. When the toddler has begun to stand, take steps holding on, and will begin walking a bit outside the home is a perfect time to graduate to a first walking shoe.

First walking shoes should provide protection from the environment [cold, heat, dangerous or harmful elements coming in contact with those tender tootsies, etc.]. Ideally the uppers should be constructed of breathable material. Leather is the gold standard, but nylon mesh or cotton canvas are certainly acceptable alternatives. The outsole [bottom] of the shoe should be a flexible, skid resistant material...usually a composite rubberized base. What about tie vs alternative fasteners? A conventional lacing system will provide the best fit control characteristics. Alternative fasteners are acceptable for their convenience in today's hectic world.

What do we look for to judge a proper fit? One half shoe size, which equals 3/16inch, extra length in a first walking shoe will provide an average of three months growing room. The width of the shoe should be appropriate for the foot--non-binding for wide feet, non creasing for narrower feet. If you suspect the child's feet have become irritated from a shoe, as evidenced by unusual redness, discontinue using the shoes, and pay us a visit, with the shoes, for an evaluation. Regular fit checks every three months are recommended and take just a moment. If you'd like, we'll even blow you up a helium balloon as a treat just for stopping by.

FYI, many new children's styles have arrived recently for spring and extra daylight savings time outside.

e-mail your questions to sales@RichardYorkShoes.com or follow us on Twitter @TheShoeDawg

Welcome to the Richard York Blog

2009-02-27T13:38:00.016-05:00

This is the first post to the store's blog.

February is a quiet time here in the Hamptons, but we are busy preparing for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. New merchandise will be arriving shortly. Trade shows, to preview next fall's collection, are going on. In fact, some of our staff will be in Manchester, NH attending the Boston Northeast area trade show this weekend.

The store's homepage has been recently renovated. Have a look at www.RichardYorkShoes.com .

Lately, I've been experimenting with Facebook, and have created a fan page for the store. For those of you who haven't tried Facebook yet, it can be extremely habit forming [IT folks call this "sticky" meaning users average a high number of minutes on the site]. It is no longer just a playground for college students. The fastest growing member demographic segment is thirty to fifty year olds. You can find the store's fan page by entering Richard York Shoes in the search box on any Facebook page.

I hope to be adding to the blog periodically to address issues of interest to you, the store's customers. Questions about footwear construction, proper shoe fitting, foot health, product trends, and small independent retail business are just some topics on the list that I will try to cover.

Until next time,

Mitch