Allen Edmonds

In 1922, Elbert W. Allen founded Allen Edmonds in Belgium, Wisconsin. The company began by producing men's shoes using handcraft methods. In 1931, Allen formed a partnership with Bill Edmonds, which led to the incorporation of the Allen Edmonds Corporation. After Allen's death in 1946, his son Elbert "Bert" Allen Jr. took over the business. When Bert died in 1968, the company passed to his younger brothers. In 1980, John Stollenwerk acquired Allen Edmonds and continued domestic production.

During World War II, Allen Edmonds supplied shoes to the United States Army and Navy. Service members who wore the shoes during the war continued to purchase them after returning to civilian life.

Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison, an investment firm based in Minneapolis, acquired a majority stake in Allen Edmonds in 2006 for $100 million. In 2013, Brentwood Associates, a private equity firm, purchased the company. Caleres acquired Allen Edmonds in December 2016 for $255 million.

Allen Edmonds operates its main production facility in Port Washington, Wisconsin. In 2003, the company invested $1 million to refit the factory, replacing traditional assembly lines with teams of craftspeople. The change was implemented to improve efficiency and consistency in production.

In 2006, Allen Edmonds responded to increased manufacturing costs by closing its Lewiston, Maine, plant. Hand-sewn production was shifted to a facility in the Dominican Republic, where shoe uppers are cut and sewn before being sent to Wisconsin for final assembly.

Allen Edmonds offers shoe recrafting services and refurbishes about 26,000 pairs annually. The recrafting process includes replacing soles and heels, creating a new cork base, and restoring the shoe's finish. Shoes are typically recrafted up to four times before retirement.

As of 2022, Allen Edmonds employed 135 craftspeople in its main plant. Some of these workers represent second or third generations within their families. Each shoe goes through a 212-step process involving as many as 60 different craftspeople before completion.

Allen Edmonds uses Goodyear welt construction to produce its shoes. The method, patented by Charles Goodyear, involves stitching the upper, insole, and welt together, which allows for resoling over the shoe's lifespan.

The company obtains its leather from the Horween Leather Company. Horween supplies leather for multiple Allen Edmonds shoe models.

Allen Edmonds produces men's dress shoes, casual footwear, boots, and sneakers. The Park Avenue cap-toe oxford was launched in 1982 and is the company's best-selling model, with production surpassing two million pairs.

The company also manufactures cedar shoe trees and shoe care items through its Woodlore division.

Allen Edmonds footwear is available at department and specialty stores across the United States, in company-owned retail locations, and through its online platform.