New shoe store set to open in downtown Port Huron

District 43 will mark its grand opening on Sept. 6.
After more than two decades working for the township of Fort Gratiot, Jorja Baldwin has plenty of hands-on experience in dealing with the local business community.

She’s worked with national retailers and local entrepreneurs. And now she’s become a small business owner herself.

Baldwin will celebrate the grand opening of her retail shoe store District 43 in downtown Port Huron with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 6 and a grand opening party on Saturday, Sept. 7. The first 43 people through the door on that Saturday will receive a thank you gift.

District 43 will carry a wide variety of shoes for the entire family.It started as a conversation between friends. Baldwin says while shopping for dresses in downtown Port Huron, she would remark that she wishes there was a shoe store to go to next. Her friends would suggest that she should do it herself. She eventually would.

District 43 will carry a wide range of shoe options, including both business and casual styles for men, women, and children. Prices will range to offer shoe quality from good, better, to best, she says. Every style, and every budget.

Baldwin says that she’s going to let the customers influence the direction of the store, regarding both price points and style. The idea is to offer a broad range of both and then see what Port Huron and its surrounding communities need.

"To start, we’re going to figure out just who are customers are. We’ll have a pretty wide range of shoes, types, and brands. Let’s see what people want," Baldwin says.

"I’m excited because as a locally-owned and independent retailer, we can truly tailor our store to the Blue Water area."

The name itself is meant to not be too masculine or too feminine, yet still retain presence. District reflects Baldwin’s past in city politics, and the number 43 is two-fold: Both Latitude 43, and the number of her husband’s patrol car, number 243.

District 43 is located at 232 Huron Ave. in downtown Port Huron.

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