Because 'Not All Shoes Are Created Equal' | Feature Stories - The Missourian |
- Because 'Not All Shoes Are Created Equal' | Feature Stories - The Missourian
- Can ‘House Shoes’ Stave Off Germs and Boost Productivity? - The Wall Street Journal
- Brands offering big sales on women's shoes: Nike, Cole Haan, Adidas and more - New York Post
- New study shows coronavirus travels on shoes - WJXT News4JAX
- CDC: Your shoes could carry COVID-19 - WTSP.com
| Because 'Not All Shoes Are Created Equal' | Feature Stories - The Missourian Posted: 15 Apr 2020 06:00 AM PDT  With all that is going on in the world today, shoes not may be something you're paying much attention to. With so many people working and learning from home due to the social distancing limitations put in place to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, many may be going barefoot for most, if not all, of the day. However, podiatrists warn that isn't good for the health of your feet. Shoes provide more than just protection from the elements and the occasional pebble — they provide support and shock absorption too. But be aware: "Not all shoes are created equal," said Kurt Brown, vice president of sales for Brown's Shoe, the Washington-based family-owned company that is marking its 70th anniversary this year. "Even if your feet don't hurt, your feet have a certain structure that needs to be supported," said Brown, noting not all shoes will provide that and not all retailers have the knowledge to help. Brown's Shoe, which operates six locations across three states, has certified pedorthists in all of its stores to help all customers not just get a proper fit, but to match them with the right shoes and brands to meet their needs, said Brown. "The service and the staff are what set Brown's apart from other places where you can buy shoes," he remarked. "All of our employees are trained on measuring and fitting and arch analysis, as well as the technology that's in the shoes and how to put that all together. "That way you don't have to do any of the research. You don't have to know anything about what you are purchasing; only what you are purchasing it for or what goals you have," said Brown. Shoe science is something that has been an important selling feature for Brown's, even going back to its early years. "Ever since 1950, we have been focusing on you — your feet, your arches, how we can get you the best quality for the value," said Brown. "That's why we are here today and why we have six locations, because of Washington. It started here." Opened in 1950 in Downtown Washington Ransome and Lois Brown opened Brown's Family Shoe Store at Main and Oak streets in Downtown Washington back in 1950. When Ransome Brown passed away in 1969, "Ma" Brown ran the business on her own until their son, Randy Brown, joined the company in 1979. Randy, who has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in administration, had been working as a state trooper. He and his wife, Margit, moved their family to Washington and got involved in the business. Margit, who has a master's degree in language arts, worked full time as a teacher at Washington Middle School while their sons were young, but when the family moved the shoe store from downtown out to Heritage Hills Plaza on Highway 47 in 1995, her expertise was needed more for the company. She left her teaching job and began working full time for Brown's Shoe Store working on the catalog business that was started a few years earlier and writing the company newsletter. Ma Brown retired in 1996. The company grew tremendously under Randy and Margit's leadership. In 1998, they opened their first New Balance store in St. Louis and also launched a website, www.wherefeetloveus.com. In 2000, they opened a New Balance store in Kansas City. Two years later, they opened a second New Balance store in St. Louis, which was followed by a store opening in Branson and third store in St. Louis. Today, Brown's Shoe locations include the flagship store in Washington at 1571 Heritage Hills Drive and five New Balance stores in Creve Coeur, Richmond Heights, Branson, Fairview Heights, Ill., and Overland Park, Kan. The business, which employs around 55 employees, is still family-owned and operated, with Randy Brown serving as president, Margit Brown as vice president, Kurt Brown as vice president of sales and Chad Brown as a certified pedorthist working at the New Balance store in Creve Coeur. As with most family businesses, sons Chad and Kurt began helping out at the store while they were young. They did odd jobs like mowing the grass at the store, changing the marquee letters and running a lemonade stand during sidewalk sales. "The boot basement was huge for us back then," Kurt recalled. "That's where we sold boots, and next to that was a locker room where we sold athletics. "We had cowboy boots and work boots from Red Wing and Irish Setter — those were some of our more popular vendors, and still are." The Brown's flagship store in Washington is unique among all of its stores, because it sells multiple brands of shoes (see sidebar for complete list). "That store is very successful at being a little something to everyone," said Brown. "So no matter who you are or how old you are, there are going to be shoes for you to look at and chose from." The company's other stores are all New Balance focused. They sell a variety of styles — from kids to adult, athletic to boots to sandals — but only the New Balance brand. 'Shoe Fitting Is an Art' Like most businesses today, Brown's website is not just a place where people can gather information about their products, but it's where they can actually purchase shoes as well. That is done entirely for convenience, particularly for shoppers who may live farther away but love the customer service. "We like our customers to come into the store to go through the fitting process to make sure they are actually in the correct pair of shoes for them," said Brown. "Shoe fitting is an art and a very challenging one, because all feet are different. Even your right foot compared to your left foot. One foot may be wider and shorter, while the other foot may be a little narrower and longer." 3-D Printed Custom Insoles The one thing that has advanced greatly since Brown's Shoe first opened 70 years ago is the technology that is available for shoes. Brown's is at the forefront of that. Within the last six months, the company began offering 3-D printed custom insoles. Using the most comprehensive and personalized foot scanning technology to date, customers can get custom 3-D printed insoles made to fit their specific needs, said Brown. Community Involvement In addition to providing quality footwear for its customers, Brown's is active in the community, supporting various nonprofits and agencies including Franklin County CASA, Franklin County Area United Way, Washington Rotary Club, Four Rivers Area YMCA, Franklin County Humane Society and Five Acres Animal Shelter in St. Charles County. In fact, Kurt Brown and his children make homemade dog treats which they sell at Brown's stores to support Five Acres. "We like to sponsor things when we can," said Brown, noting the company is a member of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and also gets involved with Downtown Washington Inc. events. The company recently held a formal dress drive for the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition's Project Cinderella, which provides prom dresses for girls who are in foster care or lower income households in the metro area, including Franklin County. Brown's collected more than 200 dresses between all of its stores. In the past, Brown's has partnered with the Shoeman Water Project, which collects donated shoes and exports them to street vendors in places like Haiti, Kenya and South America and uses the funds it makes for clean water programs in communities around the world. For the last four years, Brown's has been partnering with MADD, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The company has donated $5,000 to MADD. How it works is simple: There are bins in all of the Brown's Shoe stores where people can place any shoes they no longer use or want, no matter how wearable they are anymore. They accept new or gently used shoes, as well as old, broken down and even unwearable shoes. Brown's gives the shoes to MADD, which turns them into profits and uses the funds to support efforts like sobriety checkpoints, where officers are set up on a roadway to randomly stop vehicles to check for impaired drivers. Thanking the Community Although Brown's stores are currently closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company's website is still open for business and is offering a discount on purchases. The Brown family is grateful to its customers and the community for supporting them for 70 years. "We couldn't do it without our customers who come and see us on a regular basis, so we want to acknowledge them," said Brown. Brands (* denotes best sellers) Klogs Dansko Propet SAS Taos Spenco Vionic Aetrex *Birkenstock *Chaco Merrel Keen Nunn Bush Samuel Hubbard Brooks *Hoka *New Balance Oofos *Redwing Irish Setter *Danner *Feetures Balega Foot Zen Darn Tough Sock Smith  |
| Can ‘House Shoes’ Stave Off Germs and Boost Productivity? - The Wall Street Journal Posted: 14 Apr 2020 10:07 AM PDT  FOR WEEKS, Jason Tiangco's dress shoes have gathered dust. The only footwear the 41-year-old digital marketer has slipped on since he began self-isolating in his Toronto home are pool slides—he owns three pairs by the North Face, Birkenstock and Hoka One One. Socks don't suffice, said Mr. Tiangco, adding that he needs a sole beneath him, even a sandal's flimsy one, to achieve a productive mind-set: "I just have to [wear shoes] to kind of get that normalcy." Like countless other cooped-up folks, he'd be lost without his house shoes. "House...  |
| Brands offering big sales on women's shoes: Nike, Cole Haan, Adidas and more - New York Post Posted: 14 Apr 2020 01:20 PM PDT Footwear brands may have closed shop amid the coronavirus lockdown, but that hasn't stopped them from dropping major shoe sales online. Whether you're looking for discounts on sneakers or designer deals at luxury retailers, here are some of the best spots to save on your next shoe purchase. Snatch up some of the brand's favorite sporty styles for 30% off with code FAV30 at checkout.  "Supercourt RX" sneakers, $98 at Adidas Buy NowScore pieces from this It girl-approved Australian label (whose fans include Priyanka Chopra) with selected items marked down 25%. Indulge in beautifully made heels for your next night out. This Italian designer's fall collection is now half off. The comfy-chic shoe brand is treating customers to 30% off sitewide, along with a buy one, get one 50% off deal on all sale styles. Stock up on Instagram-ready statement pieces for summer from LA-based Cult Gaia, which is giving customers up to 20% off with the discount code GIVEBACK. Check out the brand's sale section for some sweet deals as well. The high-end retailer just launched a #SupportBoutiques initiative, which aims to provide relief and visibility to its brand partners and boutiques in 50 countries. Participating independent labels and stores are offering shoppers a 25% discount; in return, Farfetch will offer those brands a 25% selling discount as well as additional assistance with logistics, operations and marketing.  Wandler boots, $499 at Farfetch Buy NowWhile the buzzy Manhattan boutique may have shut its doors for the moment, shoppers can still browse its curated designer inventory online. All spring styles are 25% off with code SPRING25, and the store will donate 15% of all proceeds to the World Health Organization's COVID-19 relief efforts. Peruse the Italian brand's 600-plus item sale section, then stock up while shipping is free! This Parisian shoemaker is part of a wave of designers dropping sample and archive sales online for housebound fashion lovers. Grab some of her most coveted styles before they (certainly) sell out. Cop some of the London label's trendy pieces at a steep discount via their online outlet sale.  "Cesca" flats, $147 at Miista Buy NowNow is the right time to upgrade your WFH sweats with some statement sneaks from Nike, with discounts up to 40% off on selected styles and free shipping. Check out Nordstrom's glamorous spring sale, with savings up to 60%.  Area heels, $510 at Nordstrom Buy NowShop the designer's sample sale for chic shoes you can actually walk in. Save on athletic kicks with 30% off Reebok's entire site and an additional 40% off of sale items.  "Instapump Fury" sneakers, $165 at Reebok Buy NowAlong with some designer footwear steals, the iconic New York luxury retailer is also offering customers free shipping at checkout with code FREESHIP. Swing by Sam Edelman's sale for some trendy kicks with savings up to 50%. Explore the retailer's extensive sale section with markdowns of up to 70% off.  Acne Studios boots, $354 at Shopbop Buy NowAdd a pop of color to your wardrobe with Simon Miller's cheery shoe styles. The brand is offering shoppers a 20% discount sitewide with code SMFORHOME. Known for its dreamy heels and butterfly motifs, footwear label Sophia Webster just released a 15% discount with code SWWITHLOVE15, saying: "At tricky times, we want to make you smile, even just for a little while." Save tremendously on the designer's sleek footwear, with all sale items half off their original listed prices.  Sandals, $151 at Stella Luna Buy NowThe NYC brand has temporarily paused all shipments due to the coronavirus pandemic, but you can still shop. And its sale section offers some steep markdowns.  |
| New study shows coronavirus travels on shoes - WJXT News4JAX Posted: 14 Apr 2020 03:26 AM PDT :strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TPZC2APE5ND5TI3EUI5ELKF7IQ.jpg) 50% of soles of shoes from ICU medical staff tested positive for coronavirus, according to swab results JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new study out of Wuhan, China found that the coronavirus is widely distributed on the floors of hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. While concentrations of the virus were highest in ICU wards, general wards (even those not treating coronavirus patients) showed positive testing results too. Researches said compared to floor samples of other viruses, the rate of positivity for COVID-19 was relatively high. In the study, the authors theorized this is the case because of gravity and airflow causing most virus droplets to float to the ground. The study also found as medical staff walks around the ward, the virus can be tracked all over the floor, as indicated by the 100% rate of positivity from the floor in the pharmacy, where there were no patients. Half of the samples from the soles of the ICU medical staff shoes tested positive. As a result, researchers concluded the soles of medical staff shoes might function as carriers. In the study's publication in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, the authors highly recommended that persons disinfect shoe soles before walking out of wards containing COVID-19 patients. The study examined two hospitals in Wuhan, China from February 19 to March 2. The researchers collected samples from indoor air, floors, shoes, computer mice, trashcans, sickbed handrails, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other surfaces. For the latest studies and developments in the coronavirus pandemic, sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. About the Author: |
| CDC: Your shoes could carry COVID-19 - WTSP.com Posted: 15 Apr 2020 01:24 AM PDT  WUHAN, Hubei — As the number of COVID-19 cases rises across the globe, researchers and medical staff are trying to figure out the best way to treat the virus. They're also learning more about the novel coronavirus, studying how it's spread and how long it lives on different surfaces. A newly released study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on hospitals treating COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China. Researchers swabbed different surfaces in the hospitals to monitor the spread of the virus. The study found that even in areas where there were no COVID-19 positive patients, the virus was detected on the floors and also on the shoes of medical staff. "...as medical staff walk around the ward, the virus can be tracked all over the floor, as indicated by the 100-percent rate of positivity from the floor in the pharmacy, where there were no patients. Furthermore, half of the samples from the soles of the ICU medical staff shoes tested positive. Therefore, the soles of medical staff shoes might function as carriers." said the study. The report then suggests medical staff disinfect their shoes before walking out of areas where COVID-19 patients are being treated to avoid spreading the virus. Dr. Paul Nanda, Chief Medical Officer at Tampa General Hospital's Fast Track Urgent Care, says although the research does point to shoes being carriers for coronavirus, it's too early to tell if this means the average person should be worried about it. "The challenging part in all of this is just because we have tests sensitive to detect virus, we don't know the ability of that virus to be contagious. We don't know if that ability to measure it would allow someone to catch it and become sick from it," said Dr. Nanda. "It's better to err on the side of caution at this time, especially with everything going on," said Dr. Nanda. He suggests people who work in the medical industry take extra precautions when coming home. "Take your shoes off outside, maybe in the garage and leave them there," said Nanda. He suggests the average person who doesn't have contact with areas heavily affected by COVID-19 still take their shoes off outside. "I come from a family where we've always taken off our shoes when we walk in the house. That's probably a smart thing to do right now. Using a Cavi wipe or Clorox or Lysol, something with disinfectant, especially on the soles is a reasonable thing to do," said Nanda. You can use a solution of bleach and water as well, but keep in mind that may discolor some cloth on shoes. Nanda suggests also cleaning your floors regularly, as well as high-touch areas in your home. "The thing I see all the time, that people don't do enough is that they're not wiping off their phones," said Nanda. He suggests also wiping down countertops, faucets, door handles, computers, keyboards, computer mice and remotes with a disinfectant cleaner every day. You should wipe down surfaces multiple times a day if you leave your home and then come back. RELATED: Fight off germs by disinfecting your home RELATED: You're cleaning your home more, but what are those chemicals doing to your health?  |
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