Well before he purchased Schuster’s Shoes nearly 25 years ago, Joe Watson had grown up around footwear, worked at retailers of all sizes and ran multi-location chains.
He further built upon that passionately refined foundation of knowledge once he assumed ownership of a longtime specialty shoe store in Berlin, expanding his expertise to include a whole new element of professional know-how.
“When I bought Schuster’s, I had enrolled in Temple podiatry school to be a certified pedorthist,” begins Watson, who brings more than 40 years of wide-ranging experience to his role today. “There, we made orthotics, studied the anatomy of the foot, learned every bone and joint from the knee down, and worked hand-in-hand with foot doctors on filling prescriptions for their patients. Once I got certified, I got involved in providing shoes through various insurances… My business became a Medicare-approved facility providing diabetic footwear, and we service various nursing homes in the area, in addition to state facilities.”
Watson is quick to point out that the entire team is well-versed in outfitting South Jersey with comfortable, fashionable and medically prescribed footwear, no matter a person’s age, mobility or medical needs. Carrying top-quality, “really good brands” like Birkenstock, Dansko, Kizik, Orthofeet, Hoka, Dr. Comfort, Anodyne, Brooks, Uggs, SAS and an array of many children’s name brands means that there is truly something for everyone, even if Watson has to call in his wide-reaching network on the rare occasion Schuster’s can’t directly help.
“I have access to everything: We do it all,” says Watson. “If we can’t help, we’ll be glad to call one of my associates in the area that can help.”
The team is uniquely equipped to work with people trying to comfortably accommodate an array of foot issues that impact a shoe’s fit, like hammer toes, bunions or anything necessitating a brace. In fact, that service extends well beyond equipping patrons with medical, diabetic and orthotic devices: With accessories like compression socks, over-the-counter orthotics, specialty inserts and diabetic insoles, as well as the ability to create custom shoes, those customers who require durable medical equipment, or DMEs, are in good hands.
“The quality of those shoes is important to us. The orthopedic-type shoes are cut deeper, they’re designed more like the foot,” Watson explains. “There’s no heavy seams or heavy lining that could be irritating, and the material is going to be easy on the foot, very accommodative if someone has something like a hammer toe or a bunion. We can build insoles up based on a doctor’s prescription. If there’s a question, I’ll reach out to the doctor to discuss the patient’s needs with them. It’s all about knowing the product: My staff and I know footwear.”
Watson notes that using some high-tech equipment even aids in ensuring a maximally personalized product. A 3D scan helps ensure perfectly fitting diabetic orthotics, while pressure analysis of a foot can also deliver customized comfort. But painstakingly personalized DMEs can become costly; fortunately, Schuster’s does accept certain insurance plans and places a high priority on taking care of everyone.
“We’re here to help,” affirms Watson. “We never want to turn anybody away. The main thing for myself – and our staff is the same way – is seeing how we can help whoever walks through the door… There’s a very good vibe here, a very positive one, because I have a great staff who treats our customers well.”
Of course, Schuster’s is also well-stocked with today’s hottest brands and top-quality shoes for those simply looking for everyday, special occasion, work or exercise wear. But those who need to accommodate podiatric problems can benefit from a well-stocked store, too, and being able to go the extra mile for those looking to combine fashion and function is a service the Schuster’s team proudly extends to their neighbors.
“It is so gratifying to know that people with a foot problem who need a shoe for a special occasion, or just want to buy a pair of shoes they can wear daily, they can come here,” Watson says.
No matter what brings a person to Schuster’s, Watson knows that a seamless blend of knowledgeable staff, proactive customer service and a vast selection of high-quality products is what turns a first-time customer into a loyal long-time one.
“What sets us apart is the service we offer people and the relationships that we’ve built over the years,” says Watson. “We give our customers and patients a good product that we stand behind: For example, with Medicare, you’re supposed to guarantee the shoes for 90 days; I guarantee my patients’ shoes for a year because I don’t want them to have a problem with their foot like calluses or ulceration. We have a lot of empathy in regard to our patients, so once someone walks into our store, they’re not going anywhere else.”
Schuster's Shoes
Berlin
(856) 809-2930
SchusterShoes.com
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 15, Issue 3.
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