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The Tip is 'Where They're Proud' I recently saw an ad in our local newspaper for a big box home improvement store. Their newspaper ad had USA made products and American flags all over it. Several weeks later, I checked the ad again and sure enough they were still advertising their American made products. It was obvious they are proud to carry products Made in America. Their competitors made no mention of things Made in America. I have been to this store and asked what products are made in the USA? A clerk told me they primarily carry imports. Obviously they are not proud. I now realize you can buy many Made in the USA building supplies, including tools Made in USA and appliances Made in USA., in stores that are proud to carry brands Made in the USA. Here is another example of a store proudly carrying products Made in the USA. I was shopping for men's shoes in a local department store when I tried on three different pairs of shoes. I couldn't decide which pair I wanted so I went out on a limb and asked the clerk, "Are these shoes imports?" The salesman said "yes they are" so I asked, "Do you have any Made in America shoes like these?". To my surprise he said, with GREAT PRIDE, "yes sir, we have a whole line of Made In USA shoes". He brought me the same color and style with the Made in USA label. These Made in America shoes were less expensive, came with a better warranty, and were more comfortable. Looking for companies that are PROUD is simple and can have a great impact on our country. I encourage you to try this some time- just ask. You will love it when you realize you are making a difference that all of us will benefit from. With your help America will be ours again and that is a good thing. Buying Tip Continued - Read more on Made in America Products by Allen Edmonds In 1922, Allen Edmonds founder Elbert W. Allen launched his new shoe company (originally called the Allen-Spiegel Shoe Company) in Belgium, Wisconsin, less than 10 miles from our current headquarters. A family man at heart, Allen knew, as did his future partner and salesman extraordinaire, Bill Pops Edmonds, that to be a success they needed to stay close to their roots, knowing that the Midwestern values of hard work, honesty, humility and trust would be the cornerstones of a new kind of shoe company. Elbert and Mayme Allen with employees Elbert and Mayme Allen gather with the employees. (1923) We say new kind of shoe company because of Allen's innovative manufacturing techniques that relied on Goodyear welting to make fashionable and durable shoes that were nail-less and shankless (meaning they had no uncomfortable metal bar under the instep). The new brand of shoes were an instant success, and when the other shoe companies of the day emulated us, we set ourselves apart by continuing to up the ante on craftsmanship, style and service. While a great deal of the Allen Edmonds' success can be credited to Allen's groundbreaking ideas, our longevity is also attributable to the company being at its heart, a family business. From 1922 till 1978, either Allen or one of his sons- Bert and Boyd-was in charge of the company, and their strong and steady leadership allowed Allen Edmonds to succeed despite the hard times of the Great Depression, the rationing years of World War II (during which we made shoes for officers to wear with their dress uniforms), and the mounting pressures of foreign competition in the 1960s and '70s. We credit our strong values and work ethics as the reasons our footwear is consistently chosen by corporate, political, entertainment and community leaders. Our lineage not only highlights our Wisconsin roots and Midwestern values, but underscores how being an Allen Edmonds Man is passed down from one generation to the next. For us, there is nothing better than having a father bring his son into one of our stores to get him fitted for his first pair of Allen Edmonds. They may not pick out the same style, but this sharing of wisdom and sense of style-getting the most for your money-speaks to tradition and fellowship, and we are honored to be a part of these moments. As you can imagine, this sort of loyalty has attracted customers from all walks of life, especially those whose drive to be the best has pushed them to the top of their chosen professions. We credit our strong values and work ethics as the reasons our footwear is consistently chosen by corporate, political, entertainment and community leaders. Whether it is receiving a glowing endorsement from the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, or Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush all choosing to wear Park Avenues for their inaugurations, we cannot help but be proud that leaders all over the world are wearing our shoes during the most important moments of their esteemed careers. Salesman Salesman hits the road with the mobile showroom Soldier WWII soldiers were customers during and after the war Catalog Cover Catalog Cover from 1949-1950 President Ronald Reagan President Ronald Reagan with John and JoEllen Stollenwerk |
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