Family business still a 'shoe' thing

Family business still a 'shoe' thing
From a shop on Broadway Avenue to travels around the world and back again, the owners of footwear purchased or fixed at Broadway Shoe Repair have a lot of stories to tell.
And now that a new generation has taken over the decadesold business, customers and friends of the store are sharing their memories as a way to say goodbye to the former owner and encourage the new one.
After 28 years at the helm of the iconic store, Al Wickstrom has stepped into retirement, selling the store to son Jeff Wickstrom,kids osiris shoes, who took over as owner at the beginning of the year.
"I've considered myself part of this community for quite a while, but I've got more responsibility," the 26-year-old Wickstrom said recently. "I've always taken pride in working here so it's kind of fitting that here I am."
Facing Broadway Avenue, the shop's front window is filled with a map of the world adorned with push-pins marking the travel destinations of loyal customers. Underneath, small cards with adventurous stories and sentimental tales elaborate upon the points highlighted on the map above.
The idea of a friend of the elder Wickstrom, the opportunity to share anecdotes and gratitude has proven popular with people who have taken their shoes from the shop around the globe. Since the map was placed in the window in midMarch, dozens of customers have stopped by to add to the display, the new owner said.
"With shoes, you don't realize, but you take them everywhere and people have stories about them," Wickstrom said.
He added the window exhibit has been a hit with passersby as well.
"I love it because people just stop in their tracks, they sit there and read little stories and point at the map - just anything to catch people's eyes. We've got these nice big windows, you can watch the world go by."
John Kearley, chair of the Broadway Business Improvement District's (BBID) board of directors, said he's happy to see the new owner is keeping the store's front window an interactive space.
"I think it's a great idea," Kearley said of the map. "Broadway Shoe Repair has always got a great window, they're always doing something interesting over the years. It's nice to see that they're keeping that up as well."
For more than 50 years, a shoe repair store has operated on Broadway. Wickstrom says he feels a responsibility to maintain the long-standing service.
The new business owner, who started learning shoe repair techniques at a young age, said he knew he wanted a career at the shop after trying different jobs but finding they weren't the right fit.
"It was just more of a narrowing-down process. I knew I couldn't work an office job. I like being my own boss," Wickstrom said.
So far, he said, business is going well. Broadway Shoe Repair brings in more revenue from sales than repairs, and while that dynamic may not change, Wickstrom hopes to see the repair side of the venture bring in more clients.
Offering shoe sales and repair in the same space has worked for decades and it's a strategy Wickstrom doesn't plan to alter.
Though he may have well-worn shoes to fill, the shop's new master is confident in his abilities to run the beloved store.
His footwear is comfortable and his dreams are modest.
"Nothing too fancy: A comfortable life; have the business be a success."