In
the years when shoes
and footwear were
primarily manufactured
in the United States
and not so heavily
imported, Indian Head
Shoe Company in Manchester,
New Hampshire, a leading
athletic footwear
manufacturer, needed
an outlet for its
surplus inventory.
Thus, in 1958, the
start of Indian Head
Shoe Factory Outlet,
located in the basement
of the manufacturer,
in the historic millyard
of the city of Manchester,
New Hampshire.
In
time, the shoe manufacturer
needed more space
and the owners purchased
the historic 7-24
Cigar Factory building
on Canal Street in
Manchester. The outlet
store occupied a portion
of the ground floor.
People would come
from all around to
purchase their athletic
shoes and ice skates.
Ultimately, the outlet
expanded and became
an outlet for sporting
apparel and hard goods;
serving as a destination
for the serious and
casual athlete, alike.
Don
York, a former Manchester
athlete out of Memorial
High School, started
working there while
a college student
at Plymouth State.
His fondness for sports
and his enthusiasm
led him and his wife,
Gail, to purchase
the athletic outlet
store in 1980. Don
and Gail changed the
name from Indian Head
Shoe Factory Outlet
to Indian Head Athletics
to indicate how the
business had expanded.
They chose to keep
Indian Head in the
name and designed
a new logo. “The
Indian represents
honesty, integrity,
and a hard work ethic,”
says Don York.
The
business began to
grow into its own
and a very strong
team and league portion
of the business developed
along with the retail
sales. In 1981, The
Yorks soon recognized
a need to be able
to screen print and
embroider and after
outsourcing, chose
to purchase equipment
and offer screen printing
and embroidering as
a service to go hand
and hand with the
team, school, camp
and business sales.
The
shoe manufacturing
business closed, as
many did during that
turbulent time, and
the owners of the
building on Canal
Street decided to
sell the property.
In 1984, Don and Gail
York were forced to
move and had to make
a choice as to where
they would want to
operate their business.
Being Manchester natives
and having had enjoyed
Manchester’s
downtown during their
youth, they chose
to stay in the city
and the downtown area.
An Auto Parts store
on Lake Avenue was
for sale and the young
couple decided to
make a major investment
and purchase and renovate
the property at 18
Lake Avenue. It was
tough for a while
when downtown Manchester
was not very vibrant.
The Yorks never gave
up their hope for
the downtown’s
revitalization. The
investment proved
to be worthwhile as
downtown Manchester
redeveloped and the
Verizon Wireless Arena
went in directly across
from Indian Head Athletics.
Don
and Gail York have
five sons and the
business has proven
to be a benefit in
more than one way,
as all the boys have
been athletes.
The
store has been a hometown
destination to many
athletes. The trained
and knowledgeable
staff gives the customers
personal attention.
Indian Head Athletics
prides itself on its
strong reputation
as a quality and honest
business with deep
roots in Manchester
and in New Hampshire. |
