Allen Edmonds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
 Allen Edmonds at The Summit (Alabama) | |
| Formerly | Allen-Spiegel Shoe Company (1922-1931) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1922 in Belgium, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Headquarters | 201 E Seven Hills Rd, Port Washington, Wisconsin, U.S. 53074 43°24′38″N 87°52′08″W / 43.4105°N 87.8689°W |
Number of locations | 60+ stores (2022)[1] |
| Products | |
| Parent | Caleres (2016 - present) |
| Website | allenedmonds.com |
Allen Edmonds is an American upscale men's shoe company based in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The company was established in Belgium, Wisconsin, in 1922 by Elbert W. Allen as Allen-Spiegal Shoe Company.[2] The company is one of the few companies to maintain manufacturing in the U.S.[3] and was the choice for every U.S. president on inauguration day from Ronald Reagan until George W. Bush.[1]
In 1922, Elbert Allen began crafting men's shoes by hand in Belgium, Wisconsin, but did not know how to effectively sell his shoes. In 1931, Allen partnered with Bill Edmonds, a salesman, and formed the Allen Edmonds Corporation. Allen ran the company until he died in 1946 and the company was passed onto Allen's son, Elbert "Bert" Allen, Jr. Upon Bert's death in 1968, the company was handed down to Bert's younger brothers. In 1980, the company was sold out of the Allen family to John Stollenwerk, who was committed to continuing the Allen family's history of American production.[4]
Allen Edmonds gained much of its following after providing shoes to the US Army and US Navy during World War II, with many of the recipients of the shoes being loyal to the brand for the rest of their lives.[5]
Around 2000-2005, as online shopping increased, the brand faced competition for its $600 range, American-made shoes from European brands and upstart U.S. brands like To Boot New York introducing new products such as Italian-made shoes in the $300–350 range which were generally lighter and sleeker, and seemed more modern, even if they were not as high quality. Average shoppers couldn't distinguish the quality of "Park Avenue" products like Allen Edmonds and often chose the cheaper, trendier upstart product.[6]
In 2006, 90% of the shares in the company were bought by Minneapolis-based investment firm Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison for $100 million.[7][8] In 2013, the company announced that it would be acquired by private equity firm Brentwood Associates.[9] In December 2016, Caleres acquired Allen Edmonds from Brentwood Associates for $255 million.[10]
