Wayne Proude, right, the owner of Proude’s Shoes in Charlottetown is retiring May 12 after 65 years in the shoe-selling business. His wife, Judy, said she’s got a long to-do list waiting. - Dave Stewart/SaltWire NetworkThe 81-year-old Charlottetown businessman who has owned and operated Proude’s Shoes since 1965 said he wanted to wait until he was No. 1 in the market before retiring.
Proude was in that position for more than a year when the company decided to sell the department. It approached Proude about buying it. Proude said one of his biggest career challenges was surviving interest rates in the 1980s that reached 21 per cent. “It was personal and still is. Even if I’m not waiting on them, I’ll go sit down beside them and chat with them and see where they’re from.”
Kevin Proude will take ownership of Proude’s Shoes in Charlottetown on May 12 when his father, Wayne, retires after 65 years in the shoe-selling business. - Dave Stewart/SaltWire Network