Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Owner Scott Spurrier (spur-ee-er) has always recognized a quality shoe when he sees one. That's why he started his own shoe company while in college, selling shoes imported from Korea, the top shoe exporting country at the time. By 1994, he and his wife Lisa owned a chain of four shoe stores across the Wasatch Front.
After they discovered the New Balance brand, Scott researched the company and was impressed with what he found. It's a privately-owned company that continues to grow, while manufacturing their shoes right here in the United States. So, Scott entered into a licensing agreement with the brand and opened Utah's first New Balance store in Sugarhouse in 1997. It was the sixth only New Balance store in the United States and Canada. And he's watched it grow to 200 stores.
At New Balance, Scott has distinguished himself by offering hard to find sizes for both men and women. It's not everyone who offers a men's 12 narrow or 6E but they do. They are involved in many trends with running, like the Barefoot running shoes. Scott says the key with those is to shorten your stride to avoid injury. Another big part of New Balance is the introduction of a line of women's casual and casual dress shoes, which launched just a few months ago to great success.
In 2011, Scott purchased land to build a New Balance store on Union Park Avenue in Midvale. A short time later he bought the old Felt Buchorn Building on South Temple in Salt Lake City and renovated it into a brand new store, where he relocated late last year.
New Balance just started endorsing athletes a couple years ago, looking for great people who happen to be great athletes.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
New Balance With locations in Midvale and Salt Lake City www.creminellis.com
