LIMA — Local business owner Robert Johns, known affectionately by his customers as “Dr. Bob,” has been helping alleviate foot pain and enhance the quality of life for area residents over the last few decades.
Johns, owner of Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair, will be the first to tell you he is not an actual doctor. But as a certified pedorthist — a footwear specialist — Johns works closely with local physicians who often recommend their patients to him.
“We challenge ourselves to work with the problem foot,” said Johns, who was dressed in maroon scrubs that a nurse or surgeon might wear. “We don’t do surgeries or anything like that, but we try to alleviate pain through modifications or specialized footwear.
“The ultimate goal is to help people walk and feel better.”
At his shop in Lima, Johns performs shoe modifications and custom orthotics that are tailored to each customer, based on their specific foot issue. Over the years, he has helped people with foot-related problems due to chronic arthritis, diabetes, swelling, metatarsalgia — a condition in which the ball of the foot becomes painful and inflamed — and more.
There are several ways Johns can help alleviate foot pain. He can modify an existing shoe by placing inserts inside of it, or build-up the outside if a customer has a leg discrepancy that makes one leg longer than the other. He said the largest build-up he has ever done was eight-and-a-half inches. For clients who need custom orthotics, Johns can take a mold of the person’s foot, heat it and meld the material onto the shoe.
“We spend a fair amount of time with people to see what makes them feel comfortable,” Johns said. “It’s not as much about how the shoe looks, it’s more about what makes them feel good.”
Along with custom footwear, Johns also carries name-brand and specialty shoes. One of these specialty shoes is the Z-CoiL, an invention that uses a conical steel coil to help reduce the rate of impact absorbed at heel-strike. The shoe is also equipped with forefoot cushioning, a heel pad and a “Z-Orthotic,” which equalizes pressure distribution to reduce the chance of developing heel spurs or plantar fasciitis, an ailment that causes pain in the mid-foot.
Johns himself is an advocate and long-time user of Z-CoiL.
“They feel great,” he said. “The very first day I had them on, I was at an event at the Lima Mall from 8:30 a.m. to 9 at night, and I had absolutely no problems whatsoever.
“They’ve even stopped people from having surgery. People will come in who are barely able to stand up straight, then they put on a pair of these and their eyes light up. They can’t believe it.”
Johns also specializes in shoe repair. In fact, his shop is the only one that performs this service in Allen County.
“We have people from all over the region who bring their shoes in for repair,” he said.
At 76 years old, Johns is showing no signs of slowing down. He said he will continue helping people resolve their foot problems “for as long as God will allow me to.”
“I’ve still got a long way to go,” he said with a grin. “I just really enjoy making people feel comfortable, and seeing the smiles on their faces.”
Robert Johns, owner of Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair, stands between two racks of shoes at his shop on Spencerville Road. Johns has operated his business in this location since 2009, though his experience with footwear dates back to the 1950s.
http://limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_bob-johns-shoes.jpg
Robert Johns, owner of Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair, stands between two racks of shoes at his shop on Spencerville Road. Johns has operated his business in this location since 2009, though his experience with footwear dates back to the 1950s.
John Bush | The Lima News
Robert Johns, owner of Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair, uses a belt sander to finish a half-inch shoe build-up he is making for a customer who has one leg longer than the other. At his shop, Johns can create custom shoes based on the needs of his customers.
http://limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_bob-johns-shoes-2.jpg
Robert Johns, owner of Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair, uses a belt sander to finish a half-inch shoe build-up he is making for a customer who has one leg longer than the other. At his shop, Johns can create custom shoes based on the needs of his customers.
John Bush | The Lima News
Small Business Saturday: Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair
By John Bush
jbush@civitasmedia.com
Bob Johns Shoes, Pedorthics & Repair:
Address: 2110 Spencerville Road, Lima
Phone: 419-227-2829
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays
Reach John Bush at 567-242-0456 or on Twitter @bush_lima