We know shoes and feet, and we are passionate about what we do! Led by owner, Ellie Penner, a certified pedorthist with over 30 years of experience in the footwear industry, we undergo daily training to learn the benefits and features of each shoe and to understand and recognize the different foot types.
We take the time to listen to you and to get to know you so we can help you lead an active, pain-free lifestyle.
Ellie Penner
Certified Pedorthist, Founder and Owner of Sole Dimensions
“I developed a love for pedorthics upon the realization that I could play an important role in keeping people active and healthy. The rewards that come from helping someone run their first 5K, their tenth marathon or to just walk around the block pain-free are priceless to me.”
Ellie earned her Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. She began her career at a foot center where she gained intensive training in foot mechanics, footwear, and orthotics. Dr. Glenn Copeland, a Canadian Podiatrist, was Ellie’s mentor and inspired and instilled in her a passion and love for pedorthics.
Ellie opened her first foot store, Healthy Feet in Ottawa, Canada, and operated it for eight years before moving to the U.S. in the late 1990s. She earned her U.S. pedorthic certification from the Dr. Scholl School of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. She then moved to the east coast and opened her first Sole Dimensions in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Ellie eventually moved to the Raleigh area, and in 2009, she opened Sole Dimensions in Wake Forest. She moved and expanded her store twice and has recently settled into a 3,000 square foot space at 1021 Forestville Road, Suite 104, Wake Forest.
Now a familiar fixture in the community, Ellie attends local running and triathlon group events, sponsors several races in the area, and can often be seen cycling around Wake Forest on her road bike. Ellie grew up playing hockey and is a huge Canes fan. She is an inspirational and sought-after speaker and proponent of wellness. Ellie is a member of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce and the Rolesville Chamber of Commerce, Women in Networking of Wake Forest, North Wake Leads Group, Wake Forest Area Runners, and The Pedorthic Footcare Association. Penner supports many local events including Friday Night on White, Meet in The Street, and business expos. Penner is also a member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatric Association.
Jasper, a Bernese Mountain Dog, was welcomed into Ellie’s home on Thanksgiving Day, 2020. He spends his days roaming the store, checking out the new products, and sleeping under Ellie’s desk. He is quickly growing into a big boy, and he loves to hear himself bark and act like he is protecting the store, but he is really a sweet, gentle giant.
Jasper is excited to greet anyone who comes in the door, and he just wants to get a little pat from you. If he didn’t greet you when you came in, he’ll be sure to come by as you shop to say hi – or “woof.”
Jasper is great with everyone, but he knows not everyone wants to be licked when they browse shoes, so he is going through special doggie training to make him listen better. Sometimes Ellie puts him in timeout – like when he grabs a pair of socks off the wall – where he naps and studies up on his commands.
Jasper is proud to be a registered member of the American Kennel Club.
