GUELPH — Lynn Graham-Orobono will take extra special care of her Italian-made, black ankle boots and her vast collection of other Franco Sarto footwear, now that the purveyor of such sleek items is no longer in business in Guelph.
Of the 200 or so pairs of very good shoes and boots Graham-Orobono owns, most were purchased at Ron Ferraro’s Wyndham Lane Shoe Fashions.
“I’ve spent a small fortune on shoes here,” she said. “I’ve kept Ron’s children in shoes.”
Working for a local company with 600 employees, most of them women, Graham-Orobono’s purchases often inspired her female colleagues to visit the shop and keep in fashion step. Graham-Orobono has no idea where her next pair of shoes will come from. “I may have to go shoeless for awhile,” she joked.
About 30 friends and family crowded into the store’s now shoeless space on Saturday for a final celebration. It was Ron Ferraro’s way of thanking his loyal customers and family for their many years of support. Guests feasted on delectable Italian dishes and toasted Ferraro, who closed the store for good in December due to time constraints.
Nick and Sandra Koiter’s long-standing Guelph business West End Bakery will take up residence at the 105 Wyndham St. location this spring.
“These are very dear friends,” said Ferraro, “clients who became very good friends. I am going to miss this. I’m going to miss these relationships that were developed over the past 32 years.”
For many years, Ferraro has been operating two businesses, the shoe store and Wyndham Pool and Spa. But at the age of 60, he says he’s overrun and tired out. He will dedicate himself to building swimming pools and spending more time with his family.
“I think what we developed downtown here was a very loyal client base,” he said. “We tried hard for our clients, in terms of servicing them with the right product, the proper fit. And it was appreciated.”
He said there was a steady exchange of mutual appreciation and gratitude between himself and his customers in the final days of the business. Ferraro said he will frequent 105 Wyndham St. when it becomes a bakery and coffee shop.
“It was always a bittersweet decision to do this, but what made it easier was when the Koiters approached me,” he explained. “They were the client that I really wanted to occupy this store. They bring back to the downtown what is needed — a long-standing and well-respected Guelph business. They’ll do a bang-up job.”
Susan Ferraro, a teacher, said she is excited to have a chance to spend more time with her husband. The couple has four children. Ron brought sincerity, integrity and great service to the downtown business environment, she said.
“The two jobs were just too much,” she said. “I’m glad he can leave this and feel good about doing so, and now focus on the pool end of his business and spend more time at home.”
Her husband, she said, was up at the crack of dawn and working straight through until 11 p.m. most days. “It was all day and all night, and he did it for the last four or five years with the two jobs.” she said. “I think it took a toll on him. But the stars all aligned, everything came together, and it was the right time.”
roflanagan@guelphmercury.com
Article source: http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/754992
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