Canadian Footwear Professional

Bert Scharfstein acquired Canadian Footwear Ltd. in 1932. The Winnipeg-based company has since gone through many changes - as a wholesaler from the 30s through the 50s, as a footwear discounter from the late 50s, and competing with the big box retailers through the 70s until the late 80s when Bert and his wife died nine days apart.That was when the most dramatic changes began. Bert's son Brian and his partner Pam Cipryk bought the business from the estate, but they faced a big challenge. Buying the company was the easy part. Finding the right direction for future success was more daunting.After months of analyzing Canadian Footwear, Brian experienced minor health problems. He saw a specialist who put arch supports - orthotics - in his shoes to ease some pain in his knees. That was when the light bulb went off in his head - offer additional services to better fill customers' needs. Products and Services Footwear, #shoplocalonline,