The Shoe Store’s Closed!

It is July and time for our annual escape/vacation to the north woods in my home state of Michigan. As penance for spending most of that time in the middle of trout streams I accompany my wife on a shopping trip to Gaylord, a large town about thirty minutes away. It is near the I-75 freeway and a commercial hub similar to the Janesville/Beloit market. All the big boxes are there along with a quaint downtown with small shops.

Years ago, when it was the trendy thing to do, Gaylord themed its downtown architecture to become an Alpine village. Seems a bit hokey these days, but in the scheme of things they actually pulled if off pretty well. They have a very successful festival, Alpenfest, and even convinced some of the national retailers to adopt the Alpine theme within their new store’s façade. It has been the Alpine Village for as long as I can remember.

One of the main downtown anchors was the shoe store located on a main corner of the central business district. Yep, in 2012 there was an independent high end shoe store that no woman visiting would ever pass up. We had heard rumors before our arrival that it was closed. Rumor confirmed! Wife very disappointed.

The year before it had been the Alpen Shop where I bought my first fly rod about 30 years ago. Still have it but the store is no longer there – a victim of the evolving shopping habits of the American consumer. If you want a fly rod now you can just stop at the big box sporting goods store just off I-75 or order it on line after you examine it at the big box.

So, the annual trip to Gaylord has so far been postponed. The enthusiasm just isn’t there this year. The shoe store is closed and perhaps along with it, the traditional American shopping experience. Gone like buggy whips, bag phones, and “How may we help you?”