Brown’s Shoe Fit to close after 90 years in Red Oak
A staple of the Red Oak business community will close its doors later this month.
For the past 90 years, Brown’s Shoe Fit has been a key business in the community. The store will close March 24. Brown’s Shoe Fit president Steve Ruzek said the decision to close for good was not taken lightly.
“It was not an easy decision at all. We’ve been in the community for decades; the community has supported us, and it’s been a huge part of Brown’s history. But in the changing retail environment which changes every day, we are going to be forced to make some tough decisions in smaller communities to keep the process going when we can get into some of these larger communities where there are more people going to shop. It forces us to make those tough decisions,” Ruzek said.
While the Red Oak location is closing its doors, Ruzek said there are still two Southwest Iowa locations to choose from.
“The experience they’ve come to know is still available at our locations in Atlantic and Shenandoah, and we’d love to keep serving them there,” Ruzek said.
Plans are to begin the liquidation of the store’s stock beginning later this week.
“We’ll start our going out of business sale March 8, and it will go until March 24. As for the building, we have had some interest from people in buying the building, but we can’t divulge any of those names until we’re further down the road,” commented Ruzek.
As their time in Red Oak comes to a close, Ruzek said he wanted to express his appreciation to the customers they served over the years.
“I’d like to thank Red Oak for supporting us while we were there. We’re going to do everything we possibly can to get that building sold so we can get someone in there that can enrich the downtown again,” Ruzek advised.
Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association director Susie Bormann said the news of Brown’s closing after nearly a century in the Red Oak community is saddening.
“While their presence will be missed, we need to thank them for their commitment to our community for so many years. Despite this disappointment, we need to stay optimistic that this will be an opportunity for a new business for Red Oak which could be part of our downtown for years to come,” Bormann said.
Bormann described what the possible impact will be to the community moving forward.
“Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. has enjoyed a large following from our community, Montgomery County and beyond. It is my hope that an existing business may expand and offer some of the products that we have come to enjoy and expect from Brown’s. I encourage our retailors to consider filling some of the void that will most certainly be felt by our community,” commented Bormann.
With the closing of the store only a few weeks away, Bormann said plans are already in motion to bring a new business in to fill the void.
“Our economic development director, Shawnna Silvius, is working closely with Brown’s ownership, and it is our hope that a new business will fill the empty storefront quickly. During recent months, there’s been more interest and requests for information from our office regarding available buildings in downtown Red Oak. We’re hopeful that this storefront will have new life in the coming months,” said Bormann.
Bormann added The Red Oak Chamber and Industry Association will continue to promote the importance of “Shopping Local.”
“By supporting our local business owners, we can all work together to help ensure that we have a strong community. Many of our local business owners and their employees live right here in our community and help support the programs and services that make Red Oak and Montgomery County so special. Research shows that every dollar spent in our community generates twice as much income for the local economy. We encourage you to continue to support our community by “Shopping Local” in our many great shops and businesses,” Bormann said.