Bert Scharfstein acquired Canadian Footwear Ltd. in 1932. The Winnipeg-based company has since gone through many changes - as a wholesaler from the 30s through the 50s, as a footwear discounter from the late 50s, and competing with the big box retailers through the 70s until the late 80s when Bert and his wife died nine days apart.
That was when the most dramatic changes began. Bert's son Brian and his partner Pam Cipryk bought the business from the estate, but they faced a big challenge. Buying the company was the easy part. Finding the right direction for future success was more daunting.
After months of analyzing Canadian Footwear, Brian experienced minor health problems. He saw a specialist who put arch supports - orthotics - in his shoes to ease some pain in his knees. That was when the light bulb went off in his head - offer additional services to better fill customers' needs.
Brian visited a factory in New Jersey that makes orthotics. He learned everything he could about the industry. He enrolled in a pedorthic class in Chicago. From 1986 to 1990 he invested many dollars and hundreds of hours taking classes to become a Certified Pedorthist, a "foot pharmacist" who dispenses "medication" in the form of socks, orthotics and shoes. During this time his partner Pam Cipryk developed the infrastructure to enable the business to grow.
Brian's pedorthics certification marked a significant change in the company. Canadian Footwear began to specialize, focusing on our customers' needs, providing education, service and the best in quality footwear and accessories... our “We Fit You” experience. Let us provide you with the “We Fit You” experience today by dropping into any of our 3 Winnipeg locations.
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