Shore to Shore: Vernon Powell Celebrates 90 Years Of Touching Soles On The Eastern Shore

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — A family-owned business that has been a pillar on the Eastern Shore for generations is celebrating 90 years in the newest edition of Shore to Shore.

Some businesses come and go, but one Salisbury store is celebrating nine decades — that’s generations in the making.

Vernon Powell Shoe Company’s President Joe Wright is looking back to where the business first started in 1936, right in the heart of downtown Salisbury.

Wright said his father joined the business in the 1960s and helped accelerate its growth.

“Then my father came into the business in the ’60s and he really accelerated our growth. We had stores all over the Delmarva Peninsula, and I came in the business in 1994.”

With a leap of faith, Wright decided to close the downtown store and build a new location from the ground up in North Salisbury.

Ten years later, his sister joined the business, followed by his mom, his sister-in-law and others. Wright said family has been one of the key components of the business’ success.

“I think about what my great-grandfather would think about our business today, and he would be just amazed at how many employees we have, how many customers we have,” Wright said.

It’s not just the generations within the family that have helped build the business. Generations of customers have also grown up with Vernon Powell, returning to the store with their own children.

Wright said he enjoys seeing customers who bought their first pair of shoes at Vernon Powell return years later to shop for their children.

“They grow up in the kids’ department and then they outgrow the kids’ department, which is a tough thing because I was a parent, too, and my kids outgrew the kids’ department. But then they go out into the adult section, and that’s kind of a cool thing for them, and it’s just awesome to see,” Wright said.

As generations of Eastern Shore families have grown up, so has Vernon Powell, changing and evolving alongside the community. Whether you’re looking for shoes, clothes, accessories or YETI coolers, there’s something for everyone.

Wright said the company is continuing to look for ways to grow while building on the foundation his great-grandfather created.

“We’re continuing to figure out how to grow and expand and definitely proud of what we’ve created, what my great-grandfather created and what we’re continuing on.”

Vernon Powell Shoe Company is celebrating 90 years with 90 days of events. Here’s the schedule:

• Friday, Sept. 11: New Balance representative Brad Evans at the Salisbury location.
• Friday, Sept. 11 (Rehoboth) and Saturday, Sept. 12 (Salisbury): Brighton Bucks Event.
• Friday, Sept. 18 (Rehoboth) and Saturday, Sept. 19 (Salisbury): SAS Trunk Shows.
• Friday, Sept. 25 (Rehoboth) and Saturday, Sept. 26 (Salisbury): Stacking Bracelet Event.
• Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4: Rehoboth Sidewalk Sale.
• Friday, Oct. 9 (Rehoboth) and Saturday, Oct. 10 (Salisbury): Dansko Event.
• Saturday, Oct. 10: Simply Southern representative event featuring the Simply Southern Jeep at the Salisbury location.
• Friday, Oct. 16 (Salisbury) and Saturday, Oct. 17 (Rehoboth): Vionic Event.
• Saturday, Oct. 17: Brooks Event at the Salisbury location.
• Friday, Oct. 23 (Rehoboth) and Saturday, Oct. 24 (Salisbury): Kizik Event.
• Friday, Nov. 6 (Rehoboth) and Saturday, Nov. 7 (Salisbury): Aetrex Event.
• Saturday, Nov. 7: LOLA Trunk Show at the Salisbury location.
• Saturday, Nov. 14: HOKA Event at the Salisbury location.

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