Letter to the Editor: Nike Walks Away

On April 22, 2019 I received an email, not a phone call, but an email saying that my Nike account at J & N Shoes in Lamar was going to be closed as of Saturday, June 22, 2019 and that my future orders would be cancelled.  I tried to get in touch with them, but no one would return my calls or emails.  We have carried Nike in our store for around 30 years.  We always order a substantial amount of merchandise from them and pay our invoices on time.  All I get is an email saying J & N Shoes, “no longer aligns with (our) Nike’s distribution strategy”?   Talk about horrible customer service!  I am their customer, selling their product for them for 30 plus years and all I get is an email.  Watch out Nike, you are forgetting who supported you when you started your business.  It seems that the independent merchants are going away with the likes of Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods, just to name a few.

I wanted to let my loyal customers know that I cannot get Nike any longer, not because I do not want to but because they will no longer sell to a small merchant like me. I will be taking proactive steps ordering more Adidas, Underarmour, Brooks and Asics just to name a few brands that actually support small business!  I am always open to suggestions from my customers; let me know what you would like to see here and I will try to stock it in my store.

Retail is changing rapidly. Hopefully we will never see the day when there aren’t any independent merchants.  We as consumers need to always remember we need to spend money locally when possible.  If we choose not to, we will not have the independent merchant that supports your children’s baseball team, school projects, bake sales, cancer fund raisers, school fundraisers, etc.  The downtown doors you walk into wanting a donation for your project will no longer be there.

I want to let all my customers know that I appreciate their business so very much! I know that I may not always have everything you need, but I will always strive to get it for you if I can.  I, unlike Nike, know that the only reason I am here is become of the tremendous support I received from Lamar and all the surrounding areas:  Springfield, Holly, Granada, Syracuse, Las Animas, La Junta, Wiley, Eads, Cheyenne Wells, Burlington, Lakin and everyone who shops with us!

J & N Shoes has been service Lamar and the surrounding area for over 60 years. I care about our community.  We need to all stick together and help one another.

I appreciate you! Thank you!
Jerry and Jennifer Steward
J & N Shoes/Mr. D’s Sports
102 South Main Street
Lamar, CO 81052