The store is located in Heritage Plaza on the city's west side, in
the space that just a few short months ago was the Salvation Army
Thrift Store. When Shoe Sensation agreed to move into the
location, the plaza owners needed to do a little bit of work inside.
The building now has windows from ceiling to floor on the front,
wood flooring at the entry, carpet throughout the rest of the space,
fresh paint and a whole new attitude.
Shoe Sensation's corporate setup team has been in town for the
last several days, working alongside some of the store's new
employees to get shelves set up, stock moved in and displays done.
Inside the store, one will find a huge variety of shoe
products. The store carries many of the best name brands, such as
Skechers, Nike, Adidas and many more.
According to the new store manager, Robin Whitacre, the store
also carries a variety of orthopedic shoes, safety shoes such as
Tread Safe slip-resistant shoes, a full line of men's and women's
boots, skate shoes, football cleats, and other sport shoes.
Whitacre said she is really excited about being a part of the new
store. She has just started this week in Lincoln after spending last
week in training in Shelbyville, Ind.
She said the store has something for everyone, including an
"awesome" kids' section. Most shoes are stocked in medium and
wide widths, but the store can do special orders, depending on what
the shoe manufacturer offers.
They are also going to run plenty of specials and offer a layaway
program.
In addition to shoes, the store will have a variety of
accessories including ladies' handbags and bags for kids, including
backpacks.
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Shoe Sensation is a small Midwest chain of 81 stores with
corporate headquarters in Jeffersonville, Ind.
Cori Jones, a corporate representative in Lincoln this week, said
the company has been in business 35 years. They focus their
attention on small-town communities, feeling they are a better fit
for Shoe Sensation.
Jones and regional manager Mary Bullen said the company hires
local people and trains staff to meet the needs of the store.
According to them, that is the best business practice, because local
people in small communities know each other, and it is good for
customers to see faces they recognize when they come into a
store. Currently the store has 12 employees, all hired locally.
The store hours will be Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8
p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from noon
to 6.
On Thursday the store will celebrate its grand opening with a
ribbon-cut at 9 a.m. The first 100 customers of the day will receive
a free gift, and over the weekend, from Thursday to Sunday,
customers can enter to win free shoes for everyone in their
household.
[By NILA SMITH]
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