AUBURN — New England’s wholesale trade organization, the Boston Shoe Travelers, named Lamey-Wellehan as New England’s Shoe Retailer of the Year at the Manchester Shoe Show held Feb. 27, 28 and March 1.

The selection was made on the retail skills practiced and success enjoyed by the various New England retailers.

The presentation was made by Fred Arcand, a sales representative who remembered calling on Lamey-Wellehan some 40 years earlier. Jim Wellehan, who has worked for Lamey-Wellehan since 1954, made a brief acceptance speech, thanking the association for its good work, recognizing other quality retailers, and in particular, thanking the Lamey-Wellehan team for their outstanding work over many years.

Lamey-Wellehan has six stores, from Scarborough to Bangor. The stores are very active in their communities, and in each of the past two years have, with the help of their customers, gathered 10,000 pair of gently worn shoes for the homeless and needy. And every year, the company awards a four-year scholarship for a young Maine person interested in improving Maine’s economy and/or environment to attend a Maine college.

On March 17, the company will celebrate the 97th anniversary of Daniel J. Wellehan opening the first Lamey-Wellehan at 110 Lisbon St. in downtown Lewiston.