First Bank of Berne was nominate

Kenyon Sprunger is pictured, center, with the Member of the Month trophy and yard sign which are being presented by Tony Mellencamp of East of Chicago Pizza and Teresa Flaugher of First Bank of Berne.

A century ago Kenyon Sprunger’s grandfather, Ben Sprunger, was ringing up shoe sales on the same cash register still used by Kenyon on a daily basis. Kenyon joked that sometimes he feels like he has been at the store for all of its hundred years. In reality he has been there for more than half of the time that the retail shoe store has been in business. Sprunger Shoes has been a downtown Berne establishment since Ben Sprunger bought the store in 1908. The shoe store had been in business for approximately two years prior to being purchased by Sprunger. The original location for the store was on the north side of Main Street but was soon moved across the street to its present location.

Kenyon assumed the business in 1955. The shoe business is no different from the rest of the world—many changes have taken place with footwear in the last 53 years in Kenyon’s line of work. Keds was the primary athletic shoe at that time. They were made of canvas and cost $2.95. Almost before I finished asking Kenyon about changes in his profession he quickly responded with his answer —TECHNOLOGY. Much more engineering goes into the way the shoes, especially athletic shoes, are designed to make them geared for specific types of activity. The cost of athletic shoes has multiplied several times with that increased technology. No doubt many can attest to the comfort and usefulness of having just the right pair of shoes for the right activity.

Some shoes are still made in the US but most are produced in China. Leather is still in demand for shoes Modern technology makes it easier to wear them right away without breaking them in. Like many merchants, Kenyon appreciates the Swiss Days boost to his business. Several racks of shoes are displayed outside for the festival weekend and are quickly picked over for the benefit of both buyer and seller.

Several pictures are currently on display in the store window to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Sprunger Shoes. The Berne Chamber of Commerce was pleased to nominate Sprunger Shoes for the Governor’s Century Award through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Letters received from Indianapolis within the last couple of weeks indicated that Sprunger Shoes is the only business in Adams County in 2008 to receive either the Governor’s Century or Half Century Award.

Sprunger Shoes will be recognized in a ceremony in the South Atrium of the State Capitol Building on Wednesday, October 1. Within the month, Kenyon will return to Indianapolis to receive an award on behalf of his business from the Indiana Historical Society.

Congratulations to Sprunger Shoes for the longevity within the family of one of Berne’s fine retail businesses where quality and service are characteristic.