I remember when I was a kid that Miller's had an X-ray machine where you could step on a platform and see the bones in your feet. I think the intent was to more scientifically fit shoes. I don't think that a day passed by when I was downtown with my buddies that we didn't wander into Miller's and X-ray our feet. It was great fun to see the bones move when we wiggled our toes. Of course, at that time, no one knew about the dangers associated with excessive X-ray exposure. It's a wonder that we didn't all succumb to cancer of the feet. While we enjoyed Miller's, we did most of our shopping at Ralph’s Shoe Store because of a tremendously charismatic salesman name Herbie. I could never understand the negativity associated with shoe salesmen as portrayed by Al Bundy on Married with Children. Herbie was like a member of the family and even as an adult, I continued to buy shoes for my children from Herbie during family visits to Butler. Stopping in to see Herbie was one of the treats of a Butler visit followed, of course, by a stop at the Hot Dog Shop. Back then, retail sales was a career dominated by professionals who prided themselves in excellent customer service. It was an honorable endeavor. In some ways, I long for those days as I click on my computer to by the bulk of my goods and services.
Waaay back when, I had my very first job - as a stock clerk at Miller's Shoes...don't remember if my bosses name was Jim Chiprean Sr., but he was the son of the Elder Chiprean who, I believe, started Miller's. Anywho, found out about getting something at "cost" during my time there!!! I'm glad they are still in downtown Butler and, yes, they could spend a little bit on remodeling the place...however, it really does bring back memories for me to see it pretty much the way it was when I worked there 45 years ago as a 16 year old....*Sigh* Dang, I'm getting OLD!!! (hehehe)
In respose to the post above, I agree that the building owners need to at least fix up the exterior fronts of the buildings on Main St.at least a little paint. The motorcycle shop exterior is the worst, come on people show a little pride.
I long for the old days when people just walked downtown on a Saturday afternoon and the streets were filled with people saying hello to each other. Every corner had a policeman directing traffic and you usually knew his name. That was the big thing back then... to go downtown on a Saturday afternoon for the matinee at the Penn Theater and then over to the Hot Dog Shop. The malls took alot of that away for all of us downtown lovers!
Herb was the owner of Ralph's. Herb and his family were great people. Spent a lot of time at his house, dated one his daughters. We had great discussions that ranged from politics to pop culture.
Happy Anniversay Miller's Shoe store and Thanks So Much for the wonderful relationship the Chipran's had with one of their past employees who was very, very happy while working there - my mother - Anna Graham. I'm 71 and I still have Wing Tips I wear that was my Christmas gift from Mom and Dad in the 80's. Thanks again,
119 years? Wow, that's pretty amazing. That actually suprises me, only because their prices are so high. I would be happy to support local business, but I get better deals online.
12 comments:
It would be nice if they fixed up the store. New carpet and paint on the inside. New full-sized windows on the second and third floors.
They haven't spent a dime on the store in 30 years. Too bad, it used to be such a nice store and could be again if they gave a damn.
I remember when I was a kid that Miller's had an X-ray machine where you could step on a platform and see the bones in your feet. I think the intent was to more scientifically fit shoes. I don't think that a day passed by when I was downtown with my buddies that we didn't wander into Miller's and X-ray our feet. It was great fun to see the bones move when we wiggled our toes. Of course, at that time, no one knew about the dangers associated with excessive X-ray exposure. It's a wonder that we didn't all succumb to cancer of the feet. While we enjoyed Miller's, we did most of our shopping at Ralph’s Shoe Store because of a tremendously charismatic salesman name Herbie. I could never understand the negativity associated with shoe salesmen as portrayed by Al Bundy on Married with Children. Herbie was like a member of the family and even as an adult, I continued to buy shoes for my children from Herbie during family visits to Butler. Stopping in to see Herbie was one of the treats of a Butler visit followed, of course, by a stop at the Hot Dog Shop. Back then, retail sales was a career dominated by professionals who prided themselves in excellent customer service. It was an honorable endeavor. In some ways, I long for those days as I click on my computer to by the bulk of my goods and services.
Waaay back when, I had my very first job - as a stock clerk at Miller's Shoes...don't remember if my bosses name was Jim Chiprean Sr., but he was the son of the Elder Chiprean who, I believe, started Miller's. Anywho, found out about getting something at "cost" during my time there!!! I'm glad they are still in downtown Butler and, yes, they could spend a little bit on remodeling the place...however, it really does bring back memories for me to see it pretty much the way it was when I worked there 45 years ago as a 16 year old....*Sigh* Dang, I'm getting OLD!!! (hehehe)
Some of them shoes are 119 years old too!
Nice to see a store survive long term. Im going to have to visit again. I dont care if it looks old.
Congrats on 119 years of business.
In respose to the post above, I agree that the building owners need to at least fix up the exterior fronts of the buildings on Main St.at least a little paint. The motorcycle shop exterior is the worst, come on people show a little pride.
I long for the old days when people just walked downtown on a Saturday afternoon and the streets were filled with people saying hello to each other. Every corner had a policeman directing traffic and you usually knew his name. That was the big thing back then... to go downtown on a Saturday afternoon for the matinee at the Penn Theater and then over to the Hot Dog Shop. The malls took alot of that away for all of us downtown lovers!
Miller's Shoes used to be THE place to shop for good fitting fashionable shoes. Service was always good too.
I remember getting shoes as a kid in there and my parents always asked for Mr. Kemper. Anyone remember who he was? thanks
Herb was the owner of Ralph's. Herb and his family were great people. Spent a lot of time at his house, dated one his daughters. We had great discussions that ranged from politics to pop culture.
Happy Anniversay Miller's Shoe store and Thanks So Much for the wonderful relationship the Chipran's had with one of their past employees who was very, very happy while working there - my mother - Anna Graham. I'm 71 and I still have Wing Tips I wear that was my Christmas gift from Mom and Dad in the 80's.
Thanks again,
119 years? Wow, that's pretty amazing. That actually suprises me, only because their prices are so high. I would be happy to support local business, but I get better deals online.
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