About Us
As an independent Canadian retailer, our mission is to provide a great selection of quality footwear, expert advice and an effortless shopping experience – in store and online. We strive to have every customer find shoes they are excited to wear.
YOU AND YOUR SHOES MUST BE A PERFECT PAIR
Finding the right shoes can be tricky. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help make it easy and enjoyable. Shoes must match your personal style and the occasion as well as fit and feel perfect. We offer a personalised service, spending the time to get the right product and ensuring the correct fit.
White-Balmer Shoes offers both well-known and niche brands that incorporate style and comfort. We have shoes for women, men and children from narrow to extra wide widths. We carry shoes that provide long term comfort, durability and ease of maintenance; all features necessary for people who spend time on their feet. With a diverse selection, our goal is to have something for everyone. We offer shoes that will take you from the office to the trails, out shopping or for a night out.
The store also offers a variety of beautiful handbags and accessories, travel products, socks and a full line of shoe care products.
In 1981, Glee Balmer and Patrick White purchased Rickert Shoes, formally Boyd’s Shoes. At this time the store was located a few doors down, where Bentley's Restaurant is today. Quickly after, the business duo created a popular footwear destination recognized for their selection of quality products and their dedication to exceptional service.
After 39 years of business, Pat and Glee decided it was time to hang up their shoe horns. Looking forward to retirement, the two sold their business to a former employee, Karina Bogle.
In 2006, Karina's first job was a sales associate at White-Balmer Shoes. This retail position sparked her passion for the footwear industry. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management at the University of Guelph, she moved to Toronto and secured a customer care position at Baker Shoe Company, Canada’s oldest footwear distributor. Over the next four years, she moved into a management position. She enjoyed a variety of responsibilities such as launching brands into the Canadian market, social media marketing, assisting at trade shows and annual trips to Asia to design footwear collections.
In August 2019, Karina returned to her hometown of Stratford and made her dream of owning a shoe store a reality.
