Hello again friends and acquaintances,

We've been through this before. Spring is here! Go outside! Around two o'clock this afternoon I stepped outside for lunch and I will admit it, I did not want to go back inside. I am absolutely positive a lot of you are sharing the same sentiment. We want to take this opportunity to introduce you to some new friends. If you are a frequent visitor you may have noticed some subtle changes and additions lately. We have added a few new brands that we are more than excited about. To help incorporate these new brands into our name we will slowly be transitioning from Brown's New Balance to Brown's Catalog, encompassing not only the tried and true New Balance but also Merrell, Rafters, Teva, Keen, Unstructured by Clarks and Fishpond bags.
Any Questions? Of course! Allow me to introduce:

 Merrell's philosophy, "Merrell believes in continuously expanding the outdoor journey of discovery and freedom. Being outside brings us adventure and exhilaration, as well as self-knowledge and fulfillment. It blurs the boundaries between people and cultures, uniting those who enjoy exploring and seeking out new experiences. Merrell believes in encouraging and equipping everyone to get outside. It doesn't need to be complicated-outside is where you find it." So get outside in the ladies Siren Sport or the men's Moab Ventilator hiking styles. Or kick around town in the ladies strappy San Remo.

• Upper webbing is made of recycled PET from plastic water and soda bottles.
• Outsoles are made from 25% recycled rubber.
• Lining is made from 60% bamboo fiber.
• Mid wedges and outsoles are infused with jute plant fiber and cork, reducing the amount of rubber needed for production.

Tread lighter with supportive cushioning in men's and women's Tsunami's.

You're obviously familiar with BrownsNewBalance.com and possibly our catalog sent in 2-3 mailings throughout the year but we'd like to take this time to shine some light on our retail stores. We have 5 brilliant brick-and-mortar retail locations in Missouri and Kansas: NB St. Louis, NB St. Louis II, NB Kansas City, NB Branson and Brown's Shoe Center in Washington, Missouri. The same great customer service provided by our website and catalog staff can be found inside our retail locations.
Recently some of our stores and staff have been awarded and commended for just such hospitality.

Greatly representing our style and standards here at Brown's Enterprises, New Balance Branson has recently received a Best in Service Award for being ranked among the top 5 New Balance concept stores in Store Service. Congrats are also in order for Walter Klose of our New Balance Kansas City location. Walter has been deemed New Balance Associate of the Year for the Central region due to his outstanding customer service and his admirable demeanor in work ethic as an example to all employees.

And last but undeniably not least New Balance has recognized Brown's Enterprises with one of two Community Service Awards.
Commended for past and continued support of Angel's Arms, Brown's has demonstrated great responsible leadership in community service. Angel's Arms is a St. Louis based non-profit organization that provides houses and resources for foster families, with emphasis on keeping siblings together. Brown's has worked with Angel's Arms since 2005. 

So congratulations and thank you to our stores and associates for providing the "step-above" customer service our patrons have to come to expect and appreciate

If you're in the St. Louis, Branson or Kansas City areas we welcome you to step through our retail stores' doors and experience a personalized fitting in New Balance.

Check the link for store locations and contact information.
~STORE LOCATIONS~

    Diabetic patients, because of the effects their disease may have on circulation (ischemia) and nerve endings (neuropathy), become susceptible to risky conditions involving their extremities.  These conditions can include: dry skin, callouses, corns, bunions, hammer or claw toes, loss of fat padding, arch collapse, loss of protective sensation, ulcerations and poor circulation.

    About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes may have a condition known as diabetic neuropathy.  This is a loss of sensation, numbness or even hypersensitivity from a compromise of the peripheral nervous system.  It usually manifests itself in the feet and lower extremities first because this region is the furthest from the heart.  Once some feeling in the feet is lost, the patient is at a risk for developing ulcers or pressure sores.

     Diabetes contributes to decreased blood circulation in the feet, which makes ulcers slow to heal.  If an ulcer gets infected, as it can because diabetes compromises the body's ability to fight infection, and the infection reaches the bone, it could lead to an amputation of a toe, a foot, or even a leg.  

    When it comes to diabetic shoe fitting, the name of the game is "prevention."  We like to match up our inventory to your particular foot shape.  Our shoes are all shaped differently for different arch heights and foot shapes.  The SL-2 Last shape is the most common recommendation for the diabetic foot.  This is because the SL-2 Last offers a very roomy toebox and extra depth (room from top to bottom).  Again, for preventative measures, there should never be any pressure points present in a good fitting shoe.  Unlike most brands of footwear, our shoes are available in a full range of widths and sizes.  These wider widths and roomier toeboxes are fantastic for accomodating swelling and preventing damage to the diabetic foot.  "Breaking the shoe in" is lingo only used by shoe salesmen that are working on commision.  If the shoe does not fit properly when first tried on, leave it at the shoe store or send it back for an exchange.  Never depend on a shoe to stretch or "break in" for it to fit properly.

    Most of our shoes have removeable insoles to help make them more versatile.  The original insoles can be removed and replaced with upgrades specific to the patients needs.  For extra protection, New Balance makes an upgraded insole specifically for diabetes.  The Pressure Relief Insole is designed to act as a large pillow for the foot, reducing pressure and friction.  This upgraded insole has arch and metatarsal support to help balance out the weight placement and relieves the overexerted areas of the foot.  Again, preventing preulcerative callouses on the bottom of the foot is much easier than getting them to heal.

For additional foot care tips for the Diabetic, click here. 

Chad L. Brown, C.Ped

New Balance St. Louis I

chad@nbstl.com 

To be directed to the Diabetic page on our website where you can find more information and fitting advice
click on the feet below.

Shoe Recommendations: Be sure to choose footwear with plenty of room!

Running: 1123, 992, 882, WR768, 587.

Walking: 926, WW844, 811, 659.

Cross-Training: 855.

Court: 803

Dunham: 8000.

Insole Recommendations:

We all love that sound in the morning!

Whether it's 5 A.M. or 8 A.M. it always comes too early. We know how warm and cozy our beds are but we also know how much more potential the day holds when the morning is started out right.. with a morning run. It's the balance between love and hate. It's the balance between a "spare tire" or the way your WRT8110GLC fits, proof that you ran that extra lap around the block. New Balance is tipping the scale in the right direction. We want you to improve your personal best, keep track with the 50007. Set goals, track your progress and compare results with other enthusiasts at NBFITS.com. We've been there too.. panting and chanting to yourself, "one more step, one more lap, one more mile." Go ahead. Your 992's can handle the stress on your knees, on your shins. It's all about getting the new balance. You may be the last person practicing your three pointers but you'll be the first to make the shot under the stress of the buzzer. Your 826's may be the only thing accompanying you on those extra laps at practice but you'll be the only one with the view from the other side of the goal line. Squeeze in that late night run if that's the only chance you get. When you kick off your 882's and crawl into bed you'll dream of turning that double into a triple in tomorrows game. And while you hate the rain in your eyes as your feet stay dry in your 1110's, we want you to love the sound of the tape snapping when your 1223's take you to first on race day.
Tip the scale.