Webb City had some memorable shoe stores

Shoes have been around a long time. The styles have definitely changed through the years. And shoe stores have made big changes also. Webb City has had a few shoe stores, and three stand out the most. The reason they stand out is they became fixtures of the town, staying in business for a long time.

One of the earliest shoe stores was the B.B. Allen Shoe Store. Originally owned by B.B. Allen, he sold the shoe store to Walter Lee Martin. Walter would send his monthly payment to Mr. Allen once a month and give an update on the progress of the store. Allen had been a shrewd businessman, and he felt his advice to Martin was a grave responsibility. So when Martin informed Allen that he had remodeled the store, Allen wrote back, “I am much pleased to hear of your good looking store. I hope you have not made it so attractive that your old patrons will avoid you thinking it too stylish. There be a few in this world that are not at home unless surrounded with plenty of dirt and antiquated methods. They argue that someone must ‘pay the freight’!”

Well, despite Mr. Allen’s worry, Walter Martin did just fine in his business. In fact, in 1916, the Martins built a new house at 10 S. Roane St. Moving from their home at 421 N. Pennsylvania St. into the home they designed and had built for $4,200. Business continued to thrive. Then in 1924, Walter was offered a position with a New York shoe company as a traveling shoe salesman, taking the new designs to shoe stores all over the United States. The Martins saw this as a great opportunity to travel and see the sights. And that is exactly what they did. He sold the B.B. Allen Shoe Store, and a he and Alma had a rich life traveling, meeting important people.

Family called the traveling duo home when Walter’s brothers, Edward Martin, John F. Martin, E.A. Martin and V.C. Martin wanted him with them as they founded the Martin Transfer Co. They eventually bought out Joplin Transfer & Storage. Walter also served as the district agent for the National Life Insurance Co. Starting out life selling shoes led Martin on quite a journey in his life.

Well, you can’t discuss shoe stores in Webb City without mentioning the Shapiro Shoe Store, located at 26 S. Main St. What a special feeling it was to walk into Shapiro’s and to be greeted by Mr. Shapiro. You were the most important person in his life when you entered his store. He had patience, knowledge and a willingness to make your shoe buying experience unique. The front windows of Shapiro’s were an open invitation to step inside. Mr. Shapiro displayed his new merchandise in an artful way to attract attention. And what lady can walk past a shoe display and not stop to admire. The Shapiro Shoe Store was a trusted business in the same location for many years.

Then we head over to to Wheeler’s Shoe Store located in the Y.M.C.A. building on Daugherty Street. Wheeler’s sold shoes and lots of boots, but they also did shoe and boot repair. When you walked into the store, the strong smell of leather would hit you. No matter what shape your shoes or boots were in, Mr. Wheeler was willing to fix them enough for you to still wear them. That was also the place teenagers went to have their taps put on the toes of their shoes so they could make noise in the hallways at school.

There were other shoe stores in Webb City, but these three seem to stand out in memories more than others.