Vernon Powell Shoes: A Delmarvalous Delight

October 8, 2021

 One of the things I deeply appreciate is the ability to still buy “things” in local stores. It’s so easy to go to Amazon and say “hey, it’s cheaper, I’m going to buy it here” but as we all know, shopping on Amazon can’t replace being able to experience something—see it, use it, try it on—before you buy. I’m somewhat deeply disapproving of people who use local brick & mortar stores to take advantage of this, and then go buy it from Amazon. It’s that purchasing behavior that causes local businesses to go out of business and then…we no longer have the opportunity to try, see, use before we buy. They can’t afford to sustain themselves just for the convenience of our window shopping!

So when I was told I needed to invest in “better shoes” after living in flip flops all summer, because my feet were giving me some problems, I immediately knew Vernon Powell in Salisbury was exactly where I needed to head (note: VP Shoes does also have a Rehoboth location!) They have a fantastic selection of higher-quality shoes for men and women, and carry basically all of the brands recommended to me: Vionic, Hoka, Ecco, Merrell, Keen. Plus many, many others.

Upon entering and browsing for just a few minutes, I was immediately approached and asked if I needed help. Turns out I did, because I was there to shop! I was assisted by a very friendly sales associate for my time there and throughout the course of trying on nearly a dozen pairs of shoes. He made recommendations, listened to what I liked/disliked about the pairs, asked specifics of what I was looking for, and helped me find a pair that was perfect for my needs. Oh, and also two pair of boots, lol! At no time did he make me feel bad about the number of different shoes I wanted to try, he never exhibited impatience, he was friendly and helpful and it was absolutely the type of experience you want to have when you’re looking for something new and need some guidance.

Not only does Vernon Powell have a terrific shoe selection, they also offer orthotics/gait consultations. My chiropractor actually recommended I try them out, so that’s my next step (haha, get it?)

In addition to shoes, they also carry a selection of socks, jewelry, and clothes. I saw brands like HUK, Charlie, Simply Southern, to name a few. Their clothing was boutique style for the ladies and a little more geared toward sporting wear for the men. I saw quite a few things that I wanted to stop and take a look at on the non-shoe side of the store, and I had to force myself to walk out without buying that cute sweater I saw.

Last, Vernon Powell offers a customer loyalty program, which rewards you for spending money in the store. I love loyalty programs that actually deliver something attainable and Vernon Powell certainly does—spend $350 and get a $25 certificate good for your next purchase. Win!

VP also has a large selection of children’s shoes—a section I haven’t had a reason to visit for many years since my almost 17yo has worn the same size as me for several years—but we made many trips to that room when she was younger, finding a good fit and a shoe that was just right for her!

They also have a room set aside for sales shoes, so if you’re someone who loves a good sale, that room is worth a visit!

I loved my latest experience at Vernon Powell and was entirely impressed with the customer service. The entire time I was there, everyone who walked into the store was greeted and asked if they needed help. Every single person. This is the type of service and experience you can only get from an excellent local business. I’ll definitely be heading back when I need another pair of “better” shoes (probably better flip flops, if I’m honest) and I encourage you to check it out as well.

(and now I don’t know about anyone else, but I have the Vernon Powell shoes song/jingle stuck in my head lol!)

These businesses are a Shop Local Delmarvalous Delight and I highly recommend them! 

Business Details:

Vernon Powell Shoes

2401 East Naylor Mill Road

(behind the Centre at Salisbury)

Salisbury, MD 21804

410-749-4561 / 1-888-901-SHOE (7463)

www.vpshoes.com/

Angela James is a resident of Salisbury, MD and active in the Delmarva community through volunteer work for organizations such as National Folk Festival, Humane Society of Wicomico, Salisbury Pride Parade and more. A fiction editor, author career consultant and public speaker, she’s a small business owner who understands the power of word of mouth and customer reviews.

Delmarvalous Delights highlights the best of Delmarva, along with hidden gems, and shines a spotlight on those businesses that stand out consistently as Delmarvalous Delights.

If you’d like to invite Angela to visit your business, or try your products, please email angie@delmarvalousdelights.com