Gem Footcare

Owner and licensed Pedorthist Tammy Alldredge is here to help! She took time to speak with me about her business and how she can help relieve foot pain and make life more comfortable.

•  Tammy L (TL): How and when did your business begin?
• Tammy A (TA): We have owned the shoe repair business since 2000, and we decided a few years ago to split the business. I became a Pedorthist in 2012 and I am certified to build orthotics, I can help people get into the right shoes to help their feet. I can also take prescriptions from Medicare patients to get their shoes and their orthotics.
• TL: What kind of training and certification do you have to be a Pedorthist?
• TA: I am certified for Pedorthics and I’m licensed from the state of Alabama.
• TL: What is it that you specialize in here at Gem Footcare Solutions?
• TA: I help people that might have plantar fasciitis or heel spurs or some type of issues with their feet. They’ve been wearing shoes that are not healthy or they need orthotics. We have over the counter orthotics and custom orthotics, and a lot of people do well with over the counter inserts. The quality of these are going to be much better than ones you can get at a local drugstore. I want to help someone get into something better because their feet will continually start showing signs of wear from being on them all day. The shoes that we sell here are not your standard department store fashion shoes, they’re much better for your foot’s health. I like to feel like I’m helping them!
• TL: You definitely have more fashionable footwear than I was expecting you to have!
• TA: A lot of people are surprised! We like to wear these too and I don’t want to wear something ugly either! Diabetics don’t want to wear shoes that don’t look like they are made for diabetics and a lot of people wear them just because they are so comfortable. Most people don’t realize that just getting a little extra support from an orthotic in your shoe can help you later down the road from needing surgery for your knees or hips or back. It’s a good base to start with if you’re having issues with knee or hip pain.
• TL: What kind of customization options do you offer?
• TA: I can do customs and I do quite a few of them but a lot of people do well with a reasonably priced over the counter option. I don’t mind doing foot assessments and helping you find out which is best for your feet and for the budget. Customs are pricey and time consuming to fabricate them. But there are other options and a lot of doctors and chiropractors are sending patients to me for a good over the counter insert. I have these shipped from Germany that are really high quality and they work well for people who just need that extra support.
• TL: Where can people find you in store and online?
• TA: We have a site at www.gemgootcaresolutions.com and we are located at 301 S Quintard Avenue in Anniston. Our phone number is 256-236-5937.
• TL: Anything else you’d like to share?
• TA: We’d love to have you come in and look around. We have a large selection of shoes and a lot of people come in because they’re wanting a higher quality shoe or work boot. The guys are really happy with the comfort they’re getting out of the work boots we have for sale here. Come by and visit us and see what we have to offer!

I hope you enjoyed this Small Business Spotlight. Every week I will be featuring another local small business to find out more about them and how they are making an impact on our community!