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 By K. Reka Badger
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2005 Autumn Home Page |
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| In a classic tale of corporate goes country, Dennis and Karen Keever left the hubbub of the Bay Area to settle in the sun-dappled Santa Ynez Valley. Their path led them to a cinnamon-scented alley in Solvang, where they proudly preside over a modest empire called Birkenstock Footwear. After deciding they needed a change, the Keevers bought the store—which has been doing business in and around the same location for 32 years—on November 1, 2003. “We wanted to start a family and we wanted a quieter life style,” Dennis Keever explains. “My wife’s family has lived here 25 years and we’ve been coming down to visit for years. “We knew we would need local income,” he says of their impending life change, “and obviously in Solvang that meant a retail business. “My background is in marketing and fundraising,” he continues. “I spent twelve years at KQED in San Francisco and Karen was a bookkeeper and junior sales associate for a Silicon Valley firm. We both had high-powered jobs and long commutes.” During his tenure at KQED, Dennis dealt with Marin County-based Birkenstock Footprint Sandals, which was involved in fundraising and underwriting programs for the station. Pleased with his experience, Dennis became “interested in the quality of their product.” “My wife’s cousin Gigi is a real estate agent and ironically when we decided to move, she found the store. Samantha Ellis, who had it for 16 years, or so, was wanting to retire. It definitely piqued my interest right away.” Before signing the papers, Dennis attended a meeting of SCORE, a group of mostly retired CEOs and executives that counsels small business owners. “I met with them with overall figures to see if it was viable,” he explains. “The best tip I got was, they said ‘a store of that size, a sole proprietor, is a lot of work, a lot of time and you’d better enjoy what your doing.’ “So, I put in volunteer hours at a couple of local stores to see if I liked it. And I absolutely loved it. It’s a great product and we really enjoy and care about the people.” With Karen keeping the books and Dennis minding the store most days, the enterprise has evolved into a real family business. Thanks to the help of the twin daughters of Karen’s cousin Gigi, as well as a couple of part -timers, the doors of Birkenstock Footwear are open seven days a week. Despite the store’s slightly out-of-the way location, Dennis credits a supportive customer base for the store’s brisk sales.  “Our clientele is varied,” he admits. “Most people think it’s a crunchy granola-type, but it’s mostly people looking for a shoe that gives them comfort, support and good health. “We have a lot of very loyal customers,” he continues “and we’re really grateful for them. People come to Solvang, for an anniversary or special occasion, and they come to Birkenstock. A glass of champagne and a pair of new sandals!” Birkenstock Footwear stocks an amazing variety of shoe styles in a rainbow of colors. Throughout the year, they rotate items through a sale area where canny shoppers can get up to 40 percent off retail prices. “It is a successful business,” Dennis declares happily. “There’s a lot of room to expand. All we need is more exposure. We’re here, we offer a large variety of options and I think that will be the key to our success. “I want to say something that may sound corny,” he says, “but we believe in Birkenstock and we’re committed to giving good service. It’s not just about the money. If the shoe’s not right, we won’t let you out of the store. We want you to go away with a good experience. “There are some great, wonderful resources that are not on Copenhagen,” Dennis adds, “and we want people to come visit.” Located at 486 First Street, under the clock tower in the Solvang Antique Center complex, Birkenstock Footwear is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To order a full-color catalog of temptingly comfortable footwear, visit www.birkenstockfw.com or call 688-7519, toll free at 800-824-1227. |
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Copyright 2005, Inside Santa Ynez Valley Magazine, All Rights Reserved |
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