KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) As families across the Monadnock Region work through their back-to-school shopping lists, Ted McGreer of Ted’s Shoe & Sport at 115 Main St. has a message for local shoppers: think local first.

McGreer isn’t suggesting families abandon online shopping or national retailers. He recognizes that today’s consumers use a mix of local stores, big-box retailers and online businesses.

Instead, he believes even a modest shift toward local shopping can make a meaningful difference — particularly as downtown Keene businesses navigate major downtown construction and an uncertain economy.

For parents shopping for children’s shoes, McGreer said there may be less of a price difference than they expect than what they might find online or in the “big-box” stores.

The Price May Be the Same. The Service Is Different.

According to McGreer, changes in the footwear industry mean independent retailers aren’t necessarily setting their own prices anymore.

“It’s the same price because we don’t set the prices anymore — the brands do,” he said. “We have to hold to those prices. They’re protected.”

That means parents may be able to find the same shoe at Ted’s for essentially the same price they would pay elsewhere.

The difference, McGreer said, is the service that comes with the purchase.

At Ted’s, staff are trained to help customers find the appropriate shoe rather than simply finding a size and sending them on their way. McGreer also emphasized that employees don’t work on commission.

“Here at Ted’s, the service is free. Nobody’s on commission, and we live in the same community as our customers,” he said. “I truly believe our customers are people first — we don’t look at people like dollar signs.”

For a business that has been part of the local community for years, McGreer said that relationship is just as important as the products on the shelves.

“We just have a good track record of being that community-focused business that also loves to be able to give back,” he said. “The more successful we are, the more we can give back to our community.”

Back-To-School Shoes Require More Than a Quick Toe Check

One of the biggest advantages of shopping for children’s footwear at a specialty store, McGreer said, is getting the right fit.

Children’s feet can change quickly during the elementary school years.

“From first grade to fourth grade, kids’ feet grow half a size every two and a half months,” McGreer said.

That makes the traditional parent test — putting a child’s shoe on and pressing down around the toe — an unreliable way to determine whether a shoe fits properly.

“That doesn’t tell us anything from a growth perspective,” he said.

Ted’s takes a more hands-on approach.

“All the shoes that we sell have removable inserts,” McGreer said. “We put the (child’s) foot on the insert and confirm that they have at least a half inch of room in front of their toe for growth, but then it’s also about volume and width.”

That last part can be particularly important for children with wider feet.

“A lot of parents buy shoes longer if their child has a wide foot, and then they start tripping over them,” McGreer said.

In other words, simply going up a size isn’t always the answer.

Lace-Ups Aren’t the Only Option

Traditional lace-up shoes remain part of Ted’s selection, and McGreer believes there is value in children learning how to tie their own shoes.

“We still believe that lace-up shoes are a really important part of learning as a child and learning how to lace your shoes,” he said.

But families have plenty of alternatives if traditional laces aren’t practical for a particular child.

“We also have a ton of alternative closures,” McGreer said.

BOA laces are one of these brands. “They use this really cool dial — you press down a button, you turn it, and the laces tighten up. Press it again and the laces loosen up,” he said.

Ted’s also carries Kizik hands-free footwear, giving children another option that doesn’t require tying or adjusting traditional laces.

“Kizik makes these slip-on shoes for kids that are really supportive in the heel,” McGreer said.

From Backpacks to Birkenstocks

The back-to-school selection at Ted’s extends beyond children’s school shoes.

The store carries backpacks along with footwear for elementary school students, teenagers and adults, including Birkenstock styles, On running shoes and retro-inspired New Balance lifestyle models.

McGreer said the store also offers supportive footbeds and orthotic options for customers who need more support in their everyday footwear.

That combination of practical and lifestyle footwear allows Ted’s to serve families shopping for school as well as older students looking for shoes that fit their own style.

Downtown Businesses Facing a Difficult Year

The appeal of shopping locally comes at a particularly important time for Keene’s downtown businesses.

The ongoing downtown construction project has changed traffic patterns, parking and access, while broader economic uncertainty has affected consumer spending.

McGreer said the impact is already being felt among local retailers.

Despite those challenges, McGreer believes community loyalty can help locally owned businesses weather the disruption.

His larger point is about preserving locally owned businesses while they still exist.

“Gone are the days of locally-owned businesses, so if they still exist, let’s keep them going,” he said.

Shopping Local Doesn’t Have to Mean Giving Up Convenience

One obstacle facing downtown shoppers during construction is simply getting there.

Ted’s, however, has an unusual advantage: a free private parking lot.

“We’re probably one of the only retail stores downtown that has a free private parking lot,” McGreer said. “You do not have to touch Main Street to get to our store.”

For families making a quick back-to-school trip, that can eliminate some of the frustration associated with navigating downtown construction.

And for shoppers who still prefer the convenience of buying from home, McGreer said they don’t necessarily have to choose between online shopping and supporting a local business.

“If people want to shop online, every single thing in our store is on our website,” he said. “If they find something they like, we ship the same day, or we do in-store pickup.”

A Small Shift Can Make A Difference

Ultimately, McGreer’s message isn’t about asking consumers to change everything about the way they shop.

Instead, he hopes they will pause before automatically clicking “buy” online or driving to a national chain and consider whether the same product is available from a local business.

“We’re not asking you to go 100% local,” McGreer said. “But even if people made a 10% shift in their shopping and just shopped local first, it just builds a better community.”

For back-to-school shoppers, that could mean having a child’s feet properly fitted, finding a backpack or pair of sneakers, or simply taking a few minutes to see what local retailers have available.

And for businesses facing a difficult year and a downtown undergoing significant change, those individual decisions can add up.