New store caters to tired, achy feet

By JAN HOGAN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

Police take fingerprints. Paul and Ellen Plumer take footprints.

It's part of the way they evaluate how a person carries themselves.

The Plumers own and operate the Good Feet store at 5310 W. Sahara Ave. Theirs is not a regular shoe store. It specializes in high-grade shoe inserts called Alznner Orthotics, which realigns how a person stands and provides proper body support.

"Some people can be up to three inches taller with the inserts, even though it's only a sixteenth of an inch thick at the heel," Paul Plumer said. "That's how well it realigns the body."

Nancy Geli, a nurse from San Jose, Calif., expressed amazement when she tried the Alznner inserts.

"I heard about these and wanted to try them because it hurts every time I walk," Geli said. "I have hip and back pain all day."

Both she and her companion, Danny Cadecina, ended up purchasing some.

"They feel really good," Geli said. "What a difference."

While a portion of the Plumers customers are tourists, most are regular Las Vegans who have foot problems like bunions. Some have undergone foot surgery -- or are looking to avoid it.

Local residents who work on their feet all day make up a good portion of the store's patrons. The Plumers count policemen, firefighters, casino workers, dancers and athletes among their patrons.

"You can wear most shoes with the Alznners, even most high heels," Paul Plumer said.

The Alznner Orthotics were developed in Germany and combine 20 years of biomedical research and modern materials. There are 27 combinations of sizes, noteworthy as everyone's feet can be different. Once made methodically by hand, they are now mass manufactured, making them more affordable.

There are 40 other operators that carry Alznner Orthotics in the United States, but the Plumers' store is the exclusive dealer in Las Vegas. The store celebrated it's one-year anniversary in September and Ellen Plumer estimates it already has 4,500 customers.

The Plumers, who learned of the Alznner inserts after having their own foot problems marred by surgeries, use an infomercial as part of their advertising strategy.

"A regular commercial works for a product you can buy anywhere," said Paul Plumer. "This is totally different. We want people to watch it so they're educated before they come in."

It takes about 20 minutes to determine a person's stance and balance. The Good Feet staff undergoes 40 hours of initial training and has continuous updates to properly analyze a person's needs.

While the inserts aren't a cure-all, they have been known to realign feet to a more natural shape, as evidenced by comparing new footprints to the old ones. Inserts start at $59.95 a pair and the store has what are called extra comfort and high-style comfort shoes available as well.

For more information, contact Good Feet at 247-1504.