By Rebecca Cross
“I feel like Cinderella,” commented my friend as Charles placed the perfectly fitted shoe on her foot. She has a hard time finding comfortable shoes to fit her small size foot, but she not only found the perfect shoe, but she was made to feel like a “Princess” in the process as well. That is the kind of quality and personal service you will find at Gregg Shoes in downtown Elizabeth City.
Owner Charles Gregg says that what he enjoys the most is working with his customers. They are a “sit and fit” style store where “service is the main thing we provide,” says Gregg. He also works hard to provide the newest brands and styles by attending the Atlanta market four times a year where over 1000 vendors are represented.
Gregg Shoes has famous brand comfort shoes for men and women including BORN, CLARKS, INDIGO, PRIVO, MERRELL, and SAS, and many other famous brands, plus handbags and accessories. They also recently added ALEGRIA Shoes to its list of comfort footwear - the shoes with “funky fashion and die hard comfort”. The secret of Alegria Shoes is the mild rocker out sole engineered to role naturally. The rocker bottom induces a normal walking motion while naturally toning leg muscles. From brilliant patents, bright colors, different combination's in natural leathers to funky art work, there is a color for every mood!
Charles Gregg bought his store 27 years ago in July of 1983. Originally from Virginia Beach, he has been in the shoe business ever since high school, when he worked after school and summers for a chain of Shoe Stores. After Charles finished college and got out of the Service, he became the General Manager of that same chain of shoe stores and later was able to purchase the one he owns today as Gregg Shoes. Located on Main Street, Charles likes the charm of the downtown area. “Downtown is the heart of the community,” he stated. Charles is very active in the local community and was also one of the original promoters of the Main Street Program which Elizabeth City Downtown has now been a member of since 1988.