Monday’s Shoes has been around for years, doing the same thing year after year — selling shoes. As a matter of fact, this year, it will celebrate its 99th anniversary.

According to Michael Monday, the two business partners, he and Henry Monday Jr., are also cousins and have been running the store for more than 30 years.

The store was started by their grandfather, Tony Monday Sr. Then it passed on to his three sons, Tony Jr., Henry Sr. and Nick Monday.

Michael states the store is a “sit and fit” store, meaning the store caters to a customer’s specific shoe needs, whether that be length, width, arch support, etc. Some of these traits are passed on between generations, and these features are what Michael and Henry Jr. are able to notice by having served previous generations.

“We take care of a lot of families here,” he said. “We now have customers who are sons and daughters of customers who our dads took care of, and they bring in their kids too. We have seen the family grow.

“We fit infants, and that is something a lot of people don’t do any more. We service all kinds of people from 9 months to 80-plus years old.”

They said what sets their store apart from other stores is their attention to detail, persistence, and one-on-one customer care.

“All of us here know the shoe business inside and out. We’ve only had relatives employed here because the business is in our blood.

“We remain consistent. ... I think that’s a testament to our service and our customers. You see this is not a job to us; this is our life. Everything we have goes into the business. I think the customer sees that.”

Michael and Henry Jr. said when a customer walks in the door, he or she is treated like an old friend, which is the case in many instances.

“People come in here with their children or grandchildren, and the child sits down and asks what a fitting stool is or why we are measuring his or her feet. We explain we do it so they can get the best possible fit.

“They are just not used to it. They are used to the sterile, impersonal approach given to them by the big chain stores, or stores in the big malls. They are used to being treated like a number, not a person.”

They provide all of today’s styles and conveniences with the quality of the old way of doing business.

“Shoes now-a-days are being made to last longer because this is what the customer wants. We have to be right there following the new technology so we can provide the very best for our customers.”

In an average lifetime, a person’s feet will carry them 150,000 to 200,000 miles. That’s six to eight times around the world.

It makes good sense to keep them comfortable and healthy. Wearing comfortable, good fitting shoes is the most important thing one can do to ensure happy, healthy feet.

his article was submitted by Monday’s Shoes.