The owner of the second oldest retail store in Williams Lake says she has big shoes to fill.
Last month Melanie Ablitt and her husband Troy bought Walk-Rite Shoes.
And ever since they took ownership, former owner Marion Mortensen has been helping them settle in.
“Marion’s been just wonderful helping me with the transition,” Melanie says. “She comes in regularly to help me and I know I can call her anytime.”
Marion even accompanied Melanie to a big fall and winter shoe buying show in Burnaby recently.
It was there, Melanie realized Walk-Rite has quite a large selection of shoes in comparison to other outlets.
“We’re the second biggest independently owner-operated shoe store in Western Canada,” she explains. “I’ve learned that privately retail owned is kind of a dying breed, but we’re definitely here for the long term.”
The couple were inspired to buy the store because they were hoping to diversify. Troy owns a small trucking company and Melanie was the bookkeeper. She also had a couple of other bookkeeping positions.
Pointing to a framed photograph of their son Dayton who is graduating this year, and commenting that Troy has the entrepreneurial spirit, Melanie says the timing was right to buy the store.
“Everything lined up and we thought it would be something we’d like to take on.”
Marion owned the store for 36 years, purchasing it in February 1978 from John and Edie Burkowski who opened the store in 1950.
The Burkowskis were successful so Marion followed in their footsteps, eventually adding her own spin, she recalls.
Over the years, she built up a large out-of-town clientele who appreciated the better quality brands, and the “old-fashioned” service that has never disappeared.
Customers come from Quesnel, 100 Mile House and even Prince George.
“A good portion of the customers I’ve noticed may have moved out of town or are living back east and when they come home to visit their family member then they stop in to see what we have,” Melanie notices. “Recently a lady visiting from Toronto was trying on some of the French shoes from our UTV line she thought were unique.”
Marion continued to do fittings, convinced that good customer service is crucial to any business success, and Melanie will continue doing the same.
“Customers like their brands and return to replace that brand because of the quality and comfort,” she adds.
“Once you try a good quality brand, it’s hard to go back. We’ll be keeping our existing lines and I’m excited about bringing in some new brand names, as well.”
From casual to dressy with the gamut running in between, there is a wide variety to choose from, including a large collection of nursing clogs that are comfortable and practical yet colourful.
Melanie also likes the fact she and Troy are the third owners of the business.
They’ve heard appreciation from the community that the store is going to remain open.
“The local support has been fantastic,” Melanie adds.
Troy was born in Williams Lake and both he and Melanie attended all of their schooling here.
They also have a 14-year-old daughter Rianna.
“I love the small town feeling of Williams Lake where everything isn’t so rushed and busy,” Melanie muses. “Living here for a number of years you always see and recognize people.”
When she goes into other business she enjoys knowing the first names of people, adding it’s nice to see friendly faces all the time.
“It makes doing business easier.”
Without hesitation, she admits to always being a “shoe girl,” with a good selection of shoes at home.
She counts herself lucky it worked out to buy the store because she’s having lots of fun.
Because of the wide variety customers are encouraged to come in and try on something they wouldn’t normally wear.
“You might just find a treasure that you fall in love with,” she suggests.
Sometimes there will be dozens of boxes all around as the customer tries on a variety and that’s great, she adds.
The idea is to make sure people don’t feel like they’re putting the employees out.
“We want them to feel comfortable and that they aren’t wasting our time. It’s important to get the right one.”
There are three other women working in the store — including Sandra Dickson who came out of retirement to help with the transition as well.
“And Marion’s help has been invaluable,” Melanie adds.
