Owatonna Shoe celebrates its 75th anniversary

Tom Brick’s first memories of Owatonna Shoe involve sweeping the stairs, breaking down boxes and the smells of leather.
He was a youngster at the time and his father, Jim Brick, managed the store for Lorenz Schuster, the original owner.
Brick said his father purchased the store from Schuster in 1967.
“I’m the third generation of Bricks to dedicate my life to the success of downtown Owatonna,” said Brick.
Brick’s grandfather, John,  owned Brick Furniture and Funeral Home on Cedar Avenue, just north of the former Jerry’s Supper Club.
“He loved this town and so do I,” said Brick, who purchased the company from his father in 1977.
Brick said he wasn’t always sure he wanted to return to Owatonna to run and eventually purchase the store.
Two years after his father purchased the store, Brick said his father called him at college and asked, ”Do you want this store?”
“When do you need to know?” the younger Brick asked.
“By Friday,” his father said.
“That’s a pretty big decision to make in two days,” said Brick, adding that his dad was firm - he needed an answer in two days because he had an offer for the business from someone else.
Brick said he told his dad yes, thinking he could always change his mind.
That didn’t happen.
In 1972, just days after Brick graduated from MSU,  his father, Jim, had open-heart surgery.
“I ran the store from that point on,” said Brick. “An it’s been a great run.”
And like Schuster and his father, Brick said he continued the tradition of carrying quality shoe brands.
“I’ve never stocked an inexpensive shoe,” said Brick. “Quality shoes may cost more initially but save customers money in the long run.”
Brick said he’s incredibly proud of the renovations made at the store during the time he’s owned it.
“We are constantly remodeling,” he said.
Marie Larson of Cedar Frame and Gallery called it “creeping elegance.” When you do one area, she told him there is always another one to do, said Brick, adding that Larson often assisted him in selecting the colors.
During one of the remodels, Brick said he was thinking of using the color teal because it was one of his favorite colors at the time.  He said Larson told him to buy a new teal shirt but that the store structurally needed to be green and rust.
“She was right,” he said.
In 1980, when Brick purchased the building immediately to the north of the original store, he said it was important to him that the combined structure be restored to its original look using Kasota stone and brick.
The store’s most recent remodel took place last year.
Throughout the years, Brick said he’s been involved with the numerous Chamber and downtown business groups. He also spearheaded efforts to raise funds for new Christmas lights in downtown Owatonna 40 years ago.
His specialty: “Mostly fun events that promote downtown Owatonna.”
His best memory: “Right now.”
“Good grief, everything’s getting fixed up. We are going to have the prettiest downtown,” said Brick.
Brick said he isn’t sure when he’ll retire but said he has a great crew and he’s working on exit strategy. His wife, Anna Marie, retired last week from Federated.
“Stay tuned,” he said.
 
Owatonna Shoe is known for its semi-annual shoe sales – one right after Christmas and one right after the 4th of July.
To celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, Brick said the store’s sale rack will be 75% of the regular price this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Aug. 5-7).
 
Milestones
1946 – Lorenz Schuster opens Owatonna Shoe Co. at 121 North Cedar in downtown Owatonna
1967 – Jim Brick, one of Schuster’s first clerks and later general manager, purchases the store from Schuster.
1972 – Tom Brick finishes college and begins working full-time at the store.
1977 – Tom Brick buys the store from his father.
1980 – Tom Brick purchase the building just to the north of Owatonna Shoe, combining the two buildings to create a larger store with a common entrance and front.