Red Wing Shoe Store

First off, I’m a server. I live on my feet. Good shoes are as important as a good smile in this industry! Unfortunately, my smile was forced because I just wanted to wince in pain from my AWFUL shoes that I ordered from Shoes For Crews! :(
So, on a whim, I decided to head on over to the Red Wing store in Maplewood.
I honestly didn’t think they would carry a shoe that would work for me in store, BUT THEY DID! Multiple options! The man working began to help me the second I walked in the door. He was awesome. Just AWESOME! We picked out some shoes (which were way cheaper than I expected a pair of shoes to be from there). And then he stuck me on the machine for an orthotic shoe insert fitting. I’m not kidding when I say I was in heaven the second I put those suckers on. I had ankle support! I had comfort! I had COMFORTABLE SHOES! I wanted to high five the guy helping me like 100 times! Working 15 hour shifts in these Red Wing shoes isn’t a problem! I know they are just shoes, but seriously… Life changing. In my 9 years of slinging table, I have NEVER had better shoes! Thank you a million times!

A very knowledgeable salesman helped my soon choose the best boots for his new job. My husband insisted Red Wing Shoes was the best place for work boots, so I used Unilocal to find the nearest store. The young man working there listened to my son’s description of his job and showed him the two best models for him and clearly explained their benefits and differences. My son had made his choice and then the salesman thought to ask whether he was concerned about stepping on sharp or pointed objects. I’m glad he did because my son said it was a serious concern since he goes into empty, unlit houses and other buildings in bad shape to haul out refuse. So, we upgraded to a boot that is puncture-​proof for a little more. My son felt sticker shock when he saw the $ 250 price tag, but my husband and I knew the price was reasonable for the quality. After all, I explained, it would be far more expensive to be injured and miss work and pay medical bills.

I rarely walk away from an establishment irritated since I have been both in the retail and restaurant industry — I understand the ins and outs to a certain extent. However, I recently paid a visit to this particular location and I left with a very sour taste in my mouth.
I was looking for a particular style of boot, but this store did not carry it. Not a big deal, but it was the store clerk’s attitude that ruined my experience.
Mixing ‘scare tactics’ with a know-​it-​all demeanor will not encourage repeat patronage. I’d like to dispel a few ‘facts’ he tried pushing. By the way, I’m guessing he thought I was completely clueless, which I’m not.
1. He indicated that the only other stores that would carry what I was looking for would be in Hopkins or Red Wing. And he emphasized this.
Fact: I called the Roseville store, which is only about a 10 — 15 min drive from the Maplewood store, and they have about 20 different styles in the collection I was looking for.
2. I mentioned that I would have to check some local men’s boutiques and he indicated that there’s no way these boutiques could carry Red Wing because you have to be a licensed dealer and then went into a rant about how Red Wing is strict about their brand and how people have been caught illegally selling the shoes.
Fact: I’m not sure how many other retailers carry Red Wing, but I do know of at least one boutique that carries a wide selection and it’s called BlackBlue, located off Selby and Dale. They specialize in carrying American made clothing and accessories for the style-​conscious male.
3. I wanted to take a photo of the boot I was contemplating since I wasn’t sure and he indicated he would have a problem with me taking a photo because it could end up in a search engine.
Fact: That doesn’t even make any sense. I understand some retailers are uncomfortable with people taking photos of their merchandise, but as far as I know, it has NOTHING to do with search engines. In a time when Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are king, numerous retailers are benefiting from image sharing. Case in point, I follow someone on Twitter that indicated there was a Red Wing Store in Roseville and included a photo. Guess I should’ve gone there in the first place. However, I decided to go to the Maplewood store because it was more convenient for me.
This may sound petty, but it really did leave a negative impression on me and unfortunately, because of how I was treated, will not be returning to this location. Nor will I recommend this location.

He didn’t have the boot I am looking for (wanted to try it on before buying) because it is a «lifestyle» boot, and can only be found IN Red Wing.
What this store has is boots and shoes for the working man.
harumph.
They look nice online though.