68 years strong: Maier business continues to thrive downtown | Community
What started as a dream, willingness to work and a heart for his community brought a local businessman the opportunity to celebrate many memories with his downtown home.
Ray Maier opened his sporting goods store on March 1, 1955, around the age of 27. Now, for the past 68 years, the business has continued to operate in the Downtown District of Main Street.
According to Maier, before opening his business, he attended Cameron College and transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he graduated in 1951.
According to Banner archives, Maier worked as a soccer coach at Yukon High School before being drafted into the US Army in 1951.
Maier said after he was done with the US Army, he returned to the city and worked as a middle school coach in Comanche.
With a heart and love for sports, Maier bought the sporting goods store from Jess Welch Sporting Goods in 1955.
“I have a million good friends and clients,” he said. “That’s what kept me alive, I still go wide open.”
When the store opened Maier stocked a range of items from sporting goods to toys and more.
Over the years the store became a Red Wing Shoe Store.
Jennifer Hinton, daughter, said she’s never been so proud to call Ray Maier her father.
Hinton said one of her earliest memories of the store was when she was a little girl, the toys on the center island always caught her eye.
Hinton said she loved playing with all the toys every time she walked into the store.
“Since then, he’s been providing athletic gear not just to his grandkids, but to kids across Oklahoma,” she said. “Rackets, balls, gloves, soccer stuff (and more).”
Maier’s shop was known for stocking football jackets and letter jackets for the schools.
According to Hinton, some of Maier’s jackets he’s made over the years are on display in other Oklahoma cities. The jacket labels are in one of the pockets.
“One of these was on every jacket he ever sold,” she said.
According to Maier, Duncan was at times home to the only white jacket in Oklahoma.
Jackie, Maier’s wife since 1994, said Ray once helped outfit football players for Cameron.
Old baseball gloves from previous customers and students have also found their way back into Maier’s showcase.
Hinton said when people bring in these items, it really means a lot to Maier.
Maier said he remembers the faces of several youngsters he has taught who have come through his doors over the past 68 years, as well as the nicknames he has given them.
He said he loves the friendships he’s made over the years and the sharing of lives and stories.
Maier has four employees working for him: Lois Pogue, Louise Davis, Lois Williams and Lesley Nicholson. He is very fond of talking about those he has worked with over the years.
In 2020, Maier was inducted into the Duncan Athletic Hall of Fame.
At 95, Maier said he was grateful for the support he received from his family.
“My daughter and my wife are my right-hand men – they help me immensely,” he said. “Thank you for being so good to me. I value each, each of them, customers. It was a good life for me.”
Red Wing Shoe Store is located at 914 W. Main, Duncan.