ASTORIA The secret to success for a family-owned business is relationships, says Pete Gimre.

Brothers Pete and Jon Gimre own the Gimres Shoes in downtown Astoria, which celebrated its 120th anniversary in October. They also own and operate Gimres Shoes in downtown Hillsboro and three New Balance athletic shoe stores in the Northwest.

Each generation of Gimres has been people-oriented. Its much more than selling a product. Its about helping people, Pete Gimre said.

The most important part of any business is the people you have working for you, he said. Ive got a crew that not only love shoes, but enjoy helping the people who walk in the door.

Pete and Jons grandfather Sven A. Gimre learned to make shoes in Norway at age 14. After immigrating to the United States, and joining his brother Peder Anders Gimre in Astoria, Sven opened S.A. Gimre Shoe and Boot Repair in 1892.

He repaired shoes and made custom shoes for his clients. When T. Bergmann opened a small shoe factory in Portland after the turn of the century, he offered Sven 36 pair of shoes on credit, to be paid as sold.

The store has survived fire, two World Wars and the Great Depression, as well as more recent challenges like the rise of e-commerce and the Great Recession. It has become a mainstay in downtown Astoria and is now the oldest family-owned shoe store on the West Coast and seventh oldest in the nation.

Gimres Shoes draws customers from throughout the north coast and from as far away as Seattle and San Diego, Calif.

Pete said that they know their niche and stick with it. The day you try to be something to everyone is the day you start going downhill, Pete said.

We sell good shoes with a recognizable name Were not in competition with Fred Meyer or Costco or the department stores, because theyre selling strictly on price.

Part of the reason some customers are willing to travel so far to shop at Gimres is the staffs friendliness and expertise in helping people with particular needs.

Gimres in Astoria carries socks, insoles and shoes specifically designed for people with diabetes.

We get a lot of referrals from doctors, Pete said. The doctors trust that our crew is knowledgeable and can take care of their patients.

The brothers believe business stays strong and steady in part to being active in their communities. Pete has belonged to several boards and commissions over time and currently is a board member of the Astoria Downtown Historic Development Association.

Networking while making friends is what I enjoy doing and in turn it naturally gives the business an extra boost, he said. It all comes back to the store eventually, which helps the store retain its path to the next 120 years.

Since 1924 Gimres Shoes in Astoria has been located at 239 14th Street between Commercial and Marine Drive. The newly remodeled Hillsboro store is at 256 E. Main Street in downtown Hillsboro.

The Astoria store is open seven days a week. For more information, visit gimresshoes.com or call 503-325-3972.