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New Shoes and New Shirt

Posted on January 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Ah January, time for the yearly trip to and blog post about Melfe’s Shoes in Ilion, NY.  Every January they offer a free t-shirt with purchase, so every January I get new shoes, which, by the way, my employer pays for.  It is a perk for which my feet and I are grateful.

I like to go first thing Saturday morning, when there is less likely to be a crowd, although I know the staff is good at handling a lot of customers in a short time.  I realize this is not the best time to shop for shoes. After work when my feet are nice and swollen might be better.  However, I had on work socks and figured I could make allowances for morning feet.

When I walked in and announced I was there for my annual work boots, Vicki, who has waited on me before, said, “You get the newbie, David.”

We walked over to the women’s section, and I started trying on shoes.  As I put on shoes and walked around, Vicki asked me how I was and how things have been.  I told her I wanted to get my husband back in for another pair of shoes.  Last year, we purchased him a nice pair, which he really needs, since he works on his feet all day.  I don’t see why I should be the only one in the family that gets new shoes every year.

I quickly made my decision, and got two pair.  I do like to switch off shoes, giving each pair a chance to air out for a day.  I picked a blue t-shirt.  They were also offering hats, but I knew I would get more wear out of a t-shirt.  I was delighted with my visit, and I am happy to give Melfe’s another shout-out.

Melfe’s Shoes is located at 64 Central Ave., Ilion, 315-894-4049.  Their website is http://www.melfes.com/.

 

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Well, I Need Fabulous Feet

Posted on May 5, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I’m still posting about Leading Ladies (you know, that play I directed at Ilion Little Theatre; I’ve written a few blog posts about it), but here is another post that is mostly about me (I know, what isn’t?) and incorporates a shout-out to a local business.

I’ve mentioned how as director I have to give the curtain speech before performances, pointing out the emergency exits, reminding people to turn off their phones and basically welcoming them.  It is a good idea to dress nicely for such a chore.  Well, I wear army pants and steel-toe shoes to work every day.  When I have a chance to dress up, I like to look fabulous.  Additionally, I told the cross-dressing guys in my show that I would wear uncomfortable shoes in solidarity with them.

I don’t often wear uncomfortable shoes, but I have several pair.  Some of them didn’t used to be too uncomfortable, before I had bunion surgery on both feet.  Sometimes I think I ought to get rid of stuff I never wear.  Then I don’t do anything about it until I find an opportunity to wear them again.  So it was that on Friday I pulled out my black patent-leather pumps, feeling pleased with myself.

Only to realize that the doo-dah had come off the heel (when I don’t know the official name for something, I call it a doo-dah). Damn!  I had had those doo-dahs replaced — good God, over ten years ago! —  when we lived in Georgia.  Who knew they would all off again?  I found another pair of shoes to wear that night.  The next night, having found an even more fabulous outfit, I was happy to pull out the short suede boots my sister gave me years ago.  Imagine my chagrin to find that this pair suffered the same problem.  Once again, I was glad I hadn’t gotten rid of the pair of shoes I wore instead.

Thus it was that after work today, I stopped by Melfe’s Shoe Service in Ilion, NY.  This is wear I get my work footwear, but I figured they could do repairs on something more fabulous.  I was right.  Unfortunately, they won’t be ready for a week or more.  Rats!  I wanted to wear them to the show this weekend.  I said I knew I was taking my chances bringing them in on Wednesday, but I hadn’t even known they needed the repair before last Friday.

“Oh well,” I philosophized.  “I’ll just have to invent another occasion to wear them on.”

“Or it’s an occasion for shoe shopping,” the clerk suggested.  I like the way she thinks.

Melfe’s is located at 64 Central Ave, Ilion, phone number 315-894-.4049.

 

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Just in Time for Melfe’s Monday

Posted on January 20, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Long time readers (if any) may be wondering if I intend to give my yearly shout-out to Melfe’s Shoe Service in Ilion, NY.  Of course I do.  For one reason, I told them I was going to.

I’ve worked in an industry requiring safety footwear for almost five years now.  My place of employment has a deal with Melfe’s where my employer pays for one pair of shoes per year per employee and Melfe’s gives us a good deal.  Additionally, they give us great service and a quality product. Am I sounding like a commercial for Melfe’s?  Well, I did say this was a shout-out.

Many, many (add a few “manys” and you’ll come close) years ago, I sold shoes at a department store.  Ever since then I have appreciated quality footwear and understand the need to replace shoes on a regular basis (that’s not to say I don’t own a few ratty pair of $4.99 sneakers from K-Mart; I’m only human after all).  So every January I trek to Melfe’s and update.

My preferred time to go is Saturday morning as soon as they open. I’ve never encountered a crowd, and it gets it out of the way early in my favorite day for adventures.  On this particular Saturday, I was there even before they were.  I had not long to wait, though, before I was getting my feet measured and looking at styles.

At Melfe’s they measure your feet every time, because feet can change.  Mine have gotten bigger and wider over the years.  I’d like to think the increased width is the result of bunion surgery and not large amounts of fattening foods (of course my hips have no such excuse).

A young man named Steve was helping me (I asked his name and got his business card).  While he looked for my size, I admired wildlife prints and vintage advertisements on the wall.  I also noticed some very comfy-looking slippers I’d like to get for my husband (maybe for his birthday).

Melfe’s also does shoe repair.  A few months ago, I found out to my dismay that not all shoes can be repaired.  I had to appreciate, though, that they told me up front my shoes were hopeless and did not take my money to make a repair they knew would not last.

I received a Melfe’s t-shirt with my shoes.  I chose lavender.  I told Steve I would wear it to work on Monday.

“I like to have Melfe’s Monday,” I told him.

He told me that a lot of people have a certain day they like to wear their Melfe’s shirt.  I could have gotten a hat or coffee mug, but I like my shirt.  Full disclosure:  I did not wear that shirt this past Monday but one I got two years ago.  Fortunately or not, another Monday is coming.

Melfe’s Shoe Service is located at 64 Central Ave, Ilion, NY.  For more informtion call 315-894-4049.

 

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Yearly Shout-Out to Melfe’s

Posted on January 20, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last Friday I made my annual shopping trip to Melfe’s in Ilion for my work shoes. My employer has a deal with them where I get a free pair every year, sometimes two depending on what I pick. Some of my co-workers do not take full advantage of the benefit, feeling their shoes can last more than a year. I like to pamper my feet. They have enough trouble holding up my weight all day.

I like wearing steel-toed work shoes. I enjoy knowing if I kicked anybody in the ass they would feel it. Full disclosure: I have never literally kicked anybody in the ass (note correct use of “literally”). But I have the option.

Only one other person was shopping at the time. Vicki greeted me right away and we went over to the women’s work shoes. I like the ones that look like sneakers. Right away I saw the same pair of Sketchers I have had three times.

“Seven and a half wide,” I said. They were in stock and they fit. Vicki told me they were included in the two-for deal, so I pointed to a Reebok and a Converse I liked. Only the Reeboks were available in my size. They felt pretty good, so I took them. It was an unusually decisive day for me.

As always I complimented Vicki on the good service.

“I’ll write a blog post about it,” I said. “Not that I think a lot of people read my blog.” (I did not mention to her my 500+ followers, because I don’t really know how many of them are local.) (Oh dear, did that just sound like I was bragging about all my followers to you? I’m not! I’m grateful for all my readers!)

Vicki said she had read my blog posts, remembering that I had written one about her and one about Mike, the other clerk. I was so pleased.

Melfe’s is located at 64 Central Ave., Ilion, NY. Phone number is 315-894-4094. In addition to work shoes, they carry sneakers and dress shoes. They also offer shoe repair.

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My Feet Thank Me

Posted on January 13, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I may have mentioned in passing the steel-toed work shoes that are part of my blue collar regalia. I get them at Melfe’s in Ilion, NY. Saturday I went to get my yearly pair, paid for by my employer.

My employer has a contract with Melfe’s so that I don’t have to purchase the shoes myself and get reimbursed, which is handy. However, even if this were not the case, I would probably go to Melfe’s. They offer the kind of knowledgeable, one-on-one service that is hard to come by these days.

I was fortunate enough to arrive at a time when they were not too busy. I had it from a couple of co-workers that last Saturday was nuts. I did not have long to wait before a young man asked how he could help me. He measured my feet to be sure of the size (seven-and-a-half wide; I’m not self-conscious about it) then went to see what he had in my size.

I prefer the sneaker style to the boot style. Women can often get two pair for the allowance. I love this deal, because it is so much better for your feet to alternate and give each pair a chance to dry out (don’t tell me your feet don’t sweat; everybody’s do) (and I can’t even pretend mine don’t. Stinky!).

It did not take me long to find two pair I liked. He had to order the second pair though, because some sizes had gotten mixed up and he had a seven-and-a -half and an eight in one box. I guess that means somebody went home with the opposite and will wonder why her shoes feel different.

I noticed that Melfe’s also has running shoes, nurses’ shoes and even a few pair of high quality, comfortable looking dress shoes and sandals. I may return to check the latter out in the spring.

It was a very good shopping experience. The clerk knew all about the shoes, and we chatted in a friendly fashion. I complimented him on how well the staff takes care of multiple customers efficiently, remembering previous experiences in the store. He told me how crazy it had been the previous weekend (that’s probably how the seven-and-a-halfs and eights got mixed up).

Before I left I asked his name.

“Mike.”

“Do you mind if I mention you in my blog post?” I actually had not mentioned my blog, but I figured he knew what a blog was.

“Mike Shue.” He spelled it.

“I love it!”

Melfe’s is located at 64 Central Ave, Ilion, NY 13357, phone number 315-894-4049. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

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