Well as another year comes to a close we have so much to be thankful for. First thank you the customers for making us your place to shop. This year has been the best year yet at the store we set a record for sales, so again thank you.

The past year was not without struggles. Two of our bigger suppliers, Asics and Mizuno continually did not have product in stock and this allowed our customers to enjoy some other products from some other brands such as Saucony, Etonic, and New Balance. It also allowed us to bring Brooks product back to the shop as well which has been met with great success. It did at times make it difficult to fill some of your needs, but again we thank you for your understanding and working with us. So look for more choices in 2010, which is ok, there is a lot of great product out there to choose from. Many have asked, yes many and we will have in stock Spring of 2010 Vibram five fingers. For more info check out www.vibramfivefingers.com. Look for some new product from Merrell as well. We will have Chaco sandals back in stock.


Look for us to continue to collect shoes throughout the year, we are donating through my church the shoes to Souls4soles www.Souls4soles.org. Each year with your help we collect well over 1000 pair of shoes, that is an unofficial official count. So when you need to clean your closet feel free to bring your shoes to us. We did a food drive again this year in October and November and once again It was a rousing success...with your help we were able to help feed many people in the Lehigh Valley. We are collecting old medals as well for a great organization www.medals4mettle.org.


I would also like to send out congrats again to Lindsay Kerr and Stephen Welsh for winning the state 2A XC titles this past year, they are from Northwestern and Kutztown High Schools respectively. Also, congrats to the Emmaus girls for going back to back to back in winning the team state XC title. Great Job to all.


So as some things stay the same, when you stop by the shop besides my smiling face, look for store manager Elissa Agar, employees Sam Luff, Lori Palencar, Mitch McGeehin, Gary Ward, Lyndsay Johnson, (wish her well, baby is due June 28th), my father Ed Schmidt and of course Champ. At times through the year you will also see Fran Gough (yes he is still with us), Robbie Patten, Jonna Trexler and Tom Luff. Look for us again at the Iron Pigs game this year, we will be sponsoring another ball giveaway night and looking to do the second running of the Pig in the Park 5k sometime in late August or early September. We will also be running the 8th annual Rail to Trail 10k on the Ironton rail trail in May, money raised directly benefits the IRT. Also do not forget the Halloween 5k in Oct!


In closing, as we move into the next decade we will be celebrating our third year in our new digs in Emmaus and celebrating our 29th year in business. I will be celebrating owning the shop for the past 14 years and my 22nd year at the store. We will continue to try to offer you the best service possible. I can’t thank you the customers enough for your support through all the years...without you we do not exist so THANKS!!!


GOD BLESS AMERICA
Chris