Former Employees Told About Life After International Shoe Factory Closing
The International Shoe Factory closed its doors in Windsor on July 31, 1985. The Windsor Historical Society program, “Life After the Shoe Factory Closed in Windsor,” was held on Saturday, August 10, at the Windsor United Methodist Church following a luncheon at 12:15 p.m.
In the 1980s, U.S. shoe companies were reporting decreased sales caused by stiff competition from cheap foreign imports. Many employees of the International Shoe Company plant in Windsor were laid off and were never called back. Windsor employees received official notice on May 9, 1985 that the shoe factory would cease production by July 1, 1985. The doors closed on July 31, 1985.
Dorothy Warren led the discussion of former employees and Windsor business people about the effects of the closing for their lives and businesses.
Many employees sought other employment, but several reported that not a lot of jobs were available in the four-county area in 1985. Helen Sell stated it was a blessing for her. Her father was ill, and she was free to help care for him. She later found employment later.
Sharon (Howery) Scott stated she remembered the closing as she was expecting her son, and she said she worked up to closing and later found other employment.
Larry Kreisel said that there were not a lot of jobs available in the area in 1985, so he took a full-time job at the Bormann Conoco Service Station where he worked for many years.
Knowing the factory was closing, some employees left ahead of closing. Gwen Hix said she left her factory job before closing for a job in Warrensburg.
Dorothy Warrens said her husband, Roy Warren’s department was the first to go around June 1, 1985. and Roy worked for a contractor at Whiteman AFB painting carports. Dorothy said she and her husband found new opportunities after the shoe factory closed. After Dorothy’s position ended on July 31, 1985, Roy and Dorothy were offered employment at a subdivision/resort at Lake of the Ozarks with Roy working in maintenance and Dorothy in the office. Dorothy later earned her Salesperson and Broker’s license and had her own office, D Warren Realty, in which her daughter, Sandy, joined her in the office.
The International Shoe Factory had been Windsor’s largest employer for much of the previous 53 years. Dorothy Warren asked how business owners were affected by the shoe factory closing.
Rodney Wesner saw a big difference with the loss of regular shoe factory income for employees. As the third generation of the Wesner Drug Store, Rodney remembered that there were more “lows” than “highs” in 1985. Shortly after the shoe factory closed, the Windsor Community Hospital closed its doors in November, 1985.
Walt Moser stated that his parents’ Windsor Furniture Store sold a lot to shoe factory employees on a payment plan as they knew the workers would get a pay check.
Bill Simmons was not living in Windsor at the time, but his parents felt a difference in the Citizens Bank as employees always came into the bank to cash their checks, most of which were under $100.
Lynn Wilson said his parents’ Dairy Queen business noticed some difference after the shoe factory closing as they had always had a noon rush from shoe factory workers.
Brian Vincent’s parents ran the Vincent Shoe Store in Windsor, and he said their store was less affected by the shoe factory closing than other Windsor businesses because their shoe customers came from a larger geographical area. Brian felt a bigger factor in the loss of business for small towns was the result of Walmart opening stores in the mid 80s.
Dorothy Warren mentioned the news story of Bercha Mae Flippen, written by Jennifer Jackson in the August 8 issue of the CLINTON DAILY DEMOCRAT. Bercha Mae had been chosen as Queen of the International Shoe Factory 25th Anniversary celebration in Windsor in 1957. Today at 100 years young, Bercha Mae Flippen is believed to be the oldest surviving employee of the International Shoe Factory in Windsor.
The program concluded with a video provided by Rodney Wesner of the International Shoe Exhibit parade held on Main Street in Windsor on May 19, 1934.
The next International Shoe Factory reunion and program will be on August 9, 2025.
