Miller's Shoes has been in operation since 1893 when Campbell E. Miller established the business on Main Street in downtown Butler.

John J. Chiprean started working at the store in 1907 at age 10. Knowing Italian, he was able to help Miller speak to his Italian shoemakers who were making and fixing shoes.

Chiprean later held many jobs at the store working his way up to salesman and buyer.

When Miller died in 1934, Chiprean took ownership of the business but never changed the Miller name.

James Chiprean Jr., who is a third generation owner, said the family never changed the name in respect to Miller.

“The name Miller was a big name in the shoe business, so we wanted to carry on the tradition,” he said.

John Chiprean carried on successfully through the Great Depression and World War II.

But James Jr. said his grandfather's determination wasn't only about business. He had a passion for Butler as a whole and to see the community thrive.

“He ran the store through all the ups and downs of the economy in those days,” said James Jr. “It wasn't just about the shoe business, it was about civic pride. He believed in Butler. Butler was his town.”

John Chiprean actively served in the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, the Industrial Development Authority of Butler County, the Easter Seals Society, the Butler Rotary Club, Butler Memorial Hospital, the Community Chest, the Butler County Symphony and St. Paul Roman Catholic Church.

He also was instrumental in creating the downtown parking authority and served as its chairman for many years.

James Jr. has been the parking authority chairman for 22 years and is now parking manager.

John Chiprean's son, James Sr. was raised around the family business having helped out around the store from the time he was a child. He and his wife, Madeline, took over the business about the time they were married in 1957.

The couple built the business, establishing stores in Erie, Meadville, Altoona and Oakland. The couple operated the stores for many years before closing all except the Butler location.

Their sons, James, Anthony and John, also were raised around the business helping do small jobs and gradually learning the shoe business. The Chiprean sons became owners in the 1970s and their parents retired five years ago.

James Sr. agreed that his father's community involvement trickled down into the subsequent generations with all members of the family having served in different ways.

“We regard community as a personal responsibility. Whatever needed to be done, someone in this store stepped up to the plate to make this a better community,” he said.

As the business moves into 125 years in business next year, James Jr. said the Miller name plus the tireless work of the Chiprean family is what has kept the business on Main Street for more than a century.

As retail stores close by the thousands across the country, he said customers continue to seek out Miller's Shoes.

“We've served generation of families one right after another,” he said. “We kept up with the styles, the selection, and the pricing for 125 years. We kept up with the major players. The customers kept coming. When they think of shoes, they think of Miller's.”

James Sr. added that the reason for the longevity has been customer loyalty to the family and to the Miller name.

“Through the years, we've seen so many businesses come and go that it would be impossible to count. But we've had such loyal customers and friends that they're almost like family. They are responsible for us still being here,” he said.